THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 Page 7 ~ LETTER-TO-THE-EDITOR ~ Outgoing Election Commissioner thanks everyone for their help and support Former Election Commissioner Diane Colella (left) is shown with her staff on Election Night in 2013 awaiting the polling returns. (Advocate fi le photo) Dear Editor, As I wind down the last few weeks of a 21-year career here at Revere City Hall, serving as Election Commissioner, I can only think of all the people that helped me get through each Election and Recount. If I may, I’d like to publicly thank Mayors Ambrosino, Rizzo and Arrigo, Paul Capizzi, City Solicitor, Robert A. Marra, Jr. Chief of Staff to Mayor Brian M. Arrigo, former City Solicitor, Police Chiefs Reardon, Guido and Callahan and Fire Chiefs Doherty and Bright. Without their help and support and the support from their departments, the Elections would not have taken place. A special thank you to Ashley Melnik, and the City Council members and Cathy Bowden and Richard Viscay are in order. The Election Department Offi ce staff is second to none; Patricia Mazzone, Marie Olivieri, Youssef Baker-Polito Administration Awards $3.5 Million for Local Technology Infrastructure Revere to receive $48,615 for network systems integration PITTSFIELD – Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito recently announced $3.5 million in grants to 70 municipalities through the Community Compact Cabinet Information Technology grant program. The Baker-Polito Administration has now issued 749 grants through this program worth $19.2 million to help Massachusetts communities become more effi cient and innovative while improving their technology infrastructure. “Technology systems support so many of the critical services that Massachusetts cities, towns and school districts provide to residents,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are proud that our Administration, through the work of the Community Compact Cabinet, is continuing its partnership with local communities to enable another round of innovative IT improvement projects.” “Since the beginning of the grant program, our collaboration with cities and towns across the Commonwealth has led to hundreds of transformative technology investments, from public safety systems upgrades to establishing online permitting,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “As the Chair of the Community Compact Cabinet, I am pleased to announce and congratulate the 70 municipalities receiving awards in this year’s round of grants.” Pittsfi eld will receive $99,750 to build a downtown public WiFi network in this round of funding – the third award that the city has received through the Community Compact IT Grant program in last fi ve years. The city received $95,000 in Fiscal Year 2019 for the implementation of wireless infrastructure for internal and public use and $40,000 in Fiscal Year 2017 for switching infrastructure to enable telephone system consolidation. Other examples of Community Compact IT Grant program awards this year include: • $48,615 for Revere for network systems integration • $114,503 for East Longmeadow to bolster their cybersecurity infrastructure and improve disaster recovery capabilities • $100,000 for Plymouth to implement an online permitting system • $73,478 for Athol to implement network security across all town buildings • $60,000 for Hopkinton to implement a records management system • $25,000 for Leicester for cloud-based software for EMTs and paramedics “We are proud to continue supporting a wide range of impactful IT initiatives that will undoubtedly improve the effi ciency and reliability of government services,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael Heff ernan. “We appreciate the continued commitment and partnership of our local community leaders in identifying and undertaking these projects to better serve their businesses, residents, and visitors.” "The Baker-Polito Administration has long recognized the importance of modernizing the Commonwealth’s IT and cybersecurity infrastructure, as well as improving the constituent digital experience,” said Technology & Security Secretary Curt Wood. “Now, more than ever, it is essential that municipalities are able to deliver the critical services that government provides through a secure digital environment.” The application period for the new Municipal Fiber Grant program will run from March 15 to April 15, 2022. This competitive grant program through the Community Compact Cabinet is designed to support closing critical gaps that exist in municipal networks, which allows for the central management of IT infrastructure, improves cybersecurity, and can provide overall network cost savings. 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 HOURS: Open Daily at 4:00 PM Don’t Forget to Book your Holiday Party Early! Order your Holiday Party Platters Now! Join us begining at 4 PM for our NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION featuring Everett’s own... NEW MIKE MATARAZZO ~ www.eight10barandgrille.com ~ Asni and Caitlin Welch. The DPW staff , Paul Argenzio, Brian Mucci, and Michael Cecere and the entire DPW staff . The wonderful, hardworking Election Offi - cials at the polling locations, the Priests at St. Anthony’s Church, the Turkish Cultural Center and their staff , Dr. Dianne Kelly and the staff at the School Department and Steve Post, Jack Satter House, and his staff . Without all of you, it would be impossible to run an Election or a Recount. I’ve accomplished a lot over twenty-one years. I’m most proud of running fi ve or six Elections in a year with two of them being in a Presidential Election Year, and one during a Pandemic. Everyone involved was kept safe and voters cast their ballot without incident. The invalid address program introduced in June 2018 is also a great accomplishment. Without the help and support of Nicholas Rystrom, City Engineer, the program would not have been a success. Lastly, I’d like to thank Deb DiGregorio, Cary Shuman, of the Revere Journal and James Mitchell of The Revere Advocate. Thank you all for your help and support. I truly appreciate it. Signed, Diane R. Colella
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