THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025 Page 9 “This includes piledrivers and other huge machinery used for intrusive, heavy construction that causes signifi - cant vibrations on a daily basis. Attached as Exhibit C are just a few of many photos taken over the past couple of years illustrating the very close proximity of the heavy equipment and the plaintiff ’s building. “The building at issue is a 125 ft x 25 ft steel-frame building, which has for decades been occupied by the plaintiff s’ longtime tenant, a fully operational marina. Inside the building is a retail business, areas for boat repairs and storage, and other similar marinarelated equipment and Operations.” • At a recent meeting involving all parties, MassDOT and SPS formally took the position that the structural issues were caused exclusively by the tide and have nothing whatsoever to do with the massive construction occurring for years only inches from the building. “This is truly absurd. Before MassDOT and SPS came along, the building stood without issue for approximately 75 years,” the motion stated. “Further, MassDOT relies on a 250-page structural analysis, which is almost entirely photographs and which fails to even mention that MassDOT and SPS have been MEDICARE | FROM Page 7 erly — or fraudulently — in Medicare is a dollar that can’t go to a senior with legitimate healthcare needs. Policymakers have already identified numerous concrete strategies for reforming the program. One is to ensure that Medicare pays the same amount for equivalent services no matter where they’re provided. This change, which has long been championed by GAO, could save taxpayers more than $140 billion over the next decade. Another potential reform would be to conduct more thorough audits of payments and claims. Auditors working at the state level have historically been successful at controlling the site and running massive construction for years.” • SPS sent representatives into the offi ce of the City of Lynn’s Inspectional Services to fi le a complaint that the marina building was unsafe, and this complaint prompted the City to issue an Order dated December 12, 2024, which commanded that the plaintiff “make safe and secure the building.” “It bears repeating that the plaintiff is the bystander and the landowner whose property was taken by eminent domain, and SPS is the general contractor performing MassDOT’s construction on the areas of the property which the Commonwealth took and controls,” Flynn wrote in his motion. “It is unconscionable and disingenuous, at best, for SPS or any other MassDOT agent or contractor to unilaterally fi le a formal complaint with the city about the condition of the property they have taken over, control, and have extensively damaged over the past six years.” • Carmine Guarracino, P.E., of Roome & Guarracino Structural Engineers, produced a report for the marina in which a rough estimate of the cost to repair the damages would be approximately $750,000 — $850,000. The structural engineer exidentifying fraud. Using their insights to improve federal Medicare oversight could help policymakers keep managing the program eff ectively as it continues to grow. Work of the sort DOGE is doing is sorely needed. Waste and fraud run rampant in the federal government. Reforming Medicare can save not just money but lives. Sally C. Pipes is President, CEO, and Thomas W. Smith Fellow in Health Care Policy at the Pacifi c Research Institute. Her latest book is The World’s Medicine Chest: How America Achieved Pharmaceutical Supremacy — and How to Keep It (Encounter 2025). Follow her on X @sallypipes. This piece originally ran in the Detroit News. Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma pressed the view that “this problem will continue to worsen as the bridge project advances. From past, current, and future construction there will be negative impacts to the property.” “The repairs recommended in this restricted letter report describe only the general nature and scope of the work required to bring the building towards pre-existing conditions pre 2022–2023 where the building was safe as part of the marina/retail operation,” that report stated. “The continuing nature of the project will make remediation for the landowner a catch 22. Even if it is repaired now the construction and dredging could undermine those eff orts two or three years from now.” “MassDOT/SPS has unrestricted use of almost 18,000 sf of the owner’s property for construction purposes until November 2027.” Need Help With Weekend Chores? Deep Cleaning - Heavy Lifting - Property Maintenance ESTATE SALE Call Shea - SENIORS - 207-837-4711 Sunday, April 6 1:00 - 6:00 PM 3 Hadley Ct., Everett Furniture, TV’s, Wall Hangers, Washer & Dryer and so much more!
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