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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2023 Page 5 New High School: aging culvert, MSBA reimbursement could factor into new school site By Barbara Taormina B rian Dakin, senior project manager for the Revere High School construction project, met with the City Council to update them on the latest news about the school. And there were some surprises. Dakin and the design team have been working on a feasibility study for building on the existing site. The council voted to look at this option partly because of fi nancial concerns with the $500,000,000 price tag of the original plan to build at Wonderland. But according to Dakin, the cost of building on the existing site will be upwards of $540,000,000 due to the aging culvert that runs next to the school. “We were told we wouldn’t have a problem [with the culvert]. Now, all of a sudden, we have a problem and it’s a $40 million problem,” said City Council President Pro Tempore Joanne McKenna. Dakin said he and his colleagues are waiting for an engineering report from CDM Smith about the work needed on the culvert and the cost. Don Ciaramella, Superintendent of the city’s Water and Sewer Department, said the culvert, which drains much of the city, has been a concern for years, but the focus has been on water delivery, not drainage. “Whether or not we rebuild the culvert, it’s the city’s responsibility,” said Ciaramella. “It will have to be replaced and that’s part of reality.” Councillor-at-Large Marc Silvestri asked if the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), which pays part of the cost of school buildings throughout the state, would allow Revere to revert back to the original plan to build at Wonderland. “Would the MSBA have our back?” asked Silvestri. Dakin said he believes MSBA would support the city. Dakin did bring some good news to the council. The MSBA has changed its funding formula and they have increased reimbursements from $39 a square foot to $55. “That’s very good news,” said Dakin. “The deal looks about 10 percent better because of the change in the MSBA reimbursement metrics. Dakin estimated the cost to Revere after the reimbursement would be between $310,000,000 to $317,000,000 depending on the fi nal design chosen. ~ LETTER TO THE EDITOR ~ Election Commissioner Thanks All Who Made Recount a Success Dear Editor: As Election Commissioner for the City of Revere, I want to thank all of the people who made the recount of the November 7, 2023 municipal election ballots happen. I’m proud of the work of so many: my outstanding staff , the Board of Election Commissioners; the numerous poll workers who helped us block and count ballots; the area city and town clerks and their staff s who came into town on a Saturday to work a long day (many without pay); City Solicitor Paul Capizzi and our election law attorney; DPW Director Paul Argenzio and the DPW Election crew; Police Chief Dave Callahan and his offi cers who provided election security; and Superintendent Dianne Kelly, Director of Facilities Carl Svendsen, and the Revere High School custodians. I would also like to thank Mayor-Elect Patrick Keefe and Councillor Daniel Rizzo and their teams for the professionalism they all exhibited throughout this process. They should both be commended for long records of public service. I want to note for the record that, despite many rumors and unsubstantiated claims to the contrary, my office received ZERO calls or inquiries about election irregularities. The recount concluded that Councilor Rizzo received a net of four additional votes that were not counted at the November 7, 2023 election. It’s important to acknowledge that voter fraud does happen sometimes. We saw a case in Lawrence where a voter claimed they did not request an absentee ballot but one was cast in her name. Such cases are carefully researched and documented and the evidence is sent to the District Attorney to determine whether a prosecution for voter fraud is warranted. As I have stated publicly in the past, any individual who has any questions or concerns about their voter registration status or their ballots cast for this election – whether absentee, mail-in, early in-person voting, or voting at the polls – should contact the Election Department by phone, email, or in-person. Happy holidays to all. Paul Paul J. Fahey, MPA Election Commissioner Notary Public Need a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? For more info, call (857) 249-7882 JOHN MACKEY & ASSOCIATES ~ Attorneys at Law ~ * PERSONAL INJURY * REAL ESTATE * FAMILY LAW * PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY * LANDLORD/TENANT DISPUTES 14 Norwood Street Everett, MA 02149 Phone: (617) 387-4900 Fax: (617) 381-1755 WWW.JMACKEYLAW.COM Gerry 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

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