Maldden alld a Vol. 31, No. 52 den AADD -FREEKaren Colón Hayes began her two-year term as a first-time Councillor-at-Large in 2022. By Steve Freker W hile the once-in-100 years COVID-19 pandemic is still with us – going on three years – but for the fi rst time since it began, many Malden residents may have gotten the chance to exhale and take a breath in Have a Safe & Happy New Year! CT AT 617-387-2200 www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday 2022. With the long-awaited reduction of restrictions, which accompanied the widespread use of testing and vaccines, we were able to resurrect and return to many of the traditions, activities and events that we missed in 2020 and 2021. Though there were disagreements and familiar doses of rancor in the community – particularly in the political scene – which seemingly have gained a foothold here since COVID-19 arrived, there was also a rise on the other side of the equation. Malden residents came out in droves in 2022 to donate to causes, volunteer to help and maybe just cheer on their fellow citizens who were doing the same. In between there were some events we will never forget, such as the day tens of thousands descended on this community for the fantastic Phantom Gourmet Food Festival. How about the unforgettable “Football at Fenway Game” where Malden High football made history as the fi rst team in school history to play – and win – at that iconic venue for Thanksgiving? Despite the bouts of acrimony at times, it is still appropriate to say “Hats off ” to our elected offi cials, who put diff erences aside and made some major infrastructure changes a reality with lead pipes replaced, streets and sidewalks repaired and redone and many subtle, but valuable beautifi cation efforts realized. Malden teachers stopped the school year for a full day with a citywide strike, but returned the next day after hammering out a new contract. The ranks of Malden Public Schools students continue to grow, near 6,500, and reports are promThree-alarm fire rips through John Street twofamily the night after Christmas, sending two Malden firefighters to the hospital Nine Malden residents are displaced by the blaze; offi cials say unsafe use of outdoor electrical connections seen as cause By Steve Freker A three-alarm fire ripped through an Edgeworth neighborhood two-family home the night after Christmas, sending nine residents out into the cold, and two Malden fi refi ghters were hospitalized with injuries. The fi refi ghters’ injuries were non-life-threatening, according to Malden Fire Chief William Sullivan, but serious enough to require that both had to be hospitalized as a result. Investigators said the blaze might have been avoided if better attention was givFIRE| SEE PAGE 7 ising as for test results and the overall mood in our school buildings. What lies ahead in 2023? We shall see, but let us take a look back at 2022 before the next chapter begins. Following is a look at this past year, 2022, month-by month. JANUARY: As a safety precaution, with a nod to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid rise in cases due to the ultra-contagious Omicron variant, Mayor Gary Christenson announced on the fi rst official business day of 2022 that there would be a return to mandatory mask-wearing in all public, indoor settings as of January 7. This did not affect the Malden Public Schools, which had its own mask mandate since school opening in September 2021. The mayor also ordered all city boards and commissions back to ZoomCATE E Friday, December 30, 2022 MALDEN YEAR in REVIEW: This was a year of ‘returns’ with many time-honored traditions and events coming back as pandemic restrictions eased Mayor Christenson announces for reelection; Phantom Gourmet Food Festival draws thousands; millions spent on infrastructure improvements; teachers strike; football team wins at Fenway Chris Simonelli took over the Ward 7 Councillor seat from former longtime Councillor Neal Anderson. style, remote meetings until further notice. A scaled down – physical interaction-wise – and shortened municipal Inauguration Night was held with three new Councillors sworn in: KarREVIEW | SEE PAGE 5 Christmas Tree Removal Begins Jan. 9 T he City of Malden will provide curbside pickup of natural (real) Christmas trees the week of January 9 through January 13, 2023. Trees should be placed curbside on your regular trash day. Since the trees will be recycled for composting and will be put through a chipping machine, they must be free of decorations, including garland, tinsel and wire, and cannot be placed in a plastic bag. Malden residents may also bring trees to the DPW at 356 Commercial St. Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. No wreaths will be picked up. For more information, please contact the DPW at 781-3977160 or email lsanderson@cityofmalden.org. $4.05 GALLON We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover Price Subject to Change without notice Two Malden Firefi ghters were injured and nine people were displaced by a fi re caused by unsafe use of an extension cord. Firefi ghters are shown battling the blaze on John Street.(Advocate photo by Mike Leyhe) Christmas tree collection 100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602
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