Page 4 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025 Board of Health addresses homeowners over violations By Barbara Taormina T he Board of Health issued a partial condemnation order for 70 Highland St. at their recent meeting late last month. Anthony Branco, outside counsel for the city’s Inspectional Services Department, read a list of violations to the board, which included two unpermitted and illegal base8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 Open Tues. - Sat. at 4:00 PM Closed Sun. & Mon. Announcing our Classic Specials Dine In Only: * FREE Salad with purchase of Entree, Tuesdays & Wednesdays * Cheese Pizza - Only $10 Catch ALL The Live Sports Action On Our Large Screen TV’s Scan & Follow Us on Facebook! W www.810bargrille.com ment units and two unpermitted units on the third fl oor. It was not an adversarial process. Both Branco and Inspectional Services Director Michael Wells told the board that the property owners, an elderly couple in their eighties, had been cooperative during inspections and they accepted the city’s decisions on the property. The owners were represented by their nephew, a building contractor, who said they wanted to make changes and bring the building into compliance with city regulations and provide safe housing. They have relocated their tenants who were living in the illegal units and returned the basement to storage space. The owners are now working with the city to correct any problems and violations. The board, which last fall condemned the Water’s Edge apartment building on Ocean Avenue, leaving 41 tenants homeless, said they regretted the order but had no choice. “It’s great that the family will make the necessary changes but we have to set a precedent,” said board Chairman Drew Bunker. “We have to condemn the four illegal units to prevent them from occurring in the future.” It was stressed that the board was issuing a partial condemnation for the illegal units and not for the entire building. Board members were glad to learn that tenants in units on the fi rst and second floors could remain in their homes while owners work with city offi cials to bring the building up to code. The city has records of those units being permitted and inspected. “They do not want any problems,” the owners’ representative told the board. “They just want a safe home.” Northeast Metro Tech Clears Another Hurdle on Pathway to Building New School AKEFIELD — Superintendent David DiBarri is pleased to share that Northeast Metro Tech’s plan to construct a new school has once again been affi rmed as meeting all required wetlands protection requirements. In 2023, the Wakefi eld Conservation Commission denied the District’s request for an Order of Conditions to permit Northeast Metro Tech to construct parts of the project, including the much needed new driveway to Farm Street, citing state wetlands protection laws. The school appealed that decision to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). DEP found that the project would not have a negative impact on local wetlands and is in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. DEP then issued a Superseding Order of Conditions to permit construction of the full project scope. A 10 person neighborhood group of opponents appealed the DEP’s decision to the Department of Environmental Protection’s Offi ce of Appeals and Dispute Resolution (OADR). Over the past 15 months, OADR held hearings and gathered evidence as part of this review. Construction of areas of the project including the driveway and access road has been on hold as a result. Earlier this month, OADR affi rmed the DEP’s determination in their Recommended Final Decision. “Thank you to OADR and the Presiding Offi cer for their careful consideration of all the facts. This ruling has once again affirmed what we’ve known all along — that this is an appropriately designed project by our design professionals,” said Superintendent DiBarri. “Our vision for a new school is guided in part by good stewardship of our local resources. This project will benefi t students and our NEW SCHOOL | SEE Page 6
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