׉?4ׁB!בCטUUru׉׉ 7cassandra://ipQDxj-mdHE6USn-dIg_uPe8BFtTTFvDTq_B8uuD1PA `'p׉ 7cassandra://jMH6jCaFufZ-xxbVRKjqW7aOsD9Jxf2EVxYdx_15OD0ͺ`׉ 7cassandra://CdG6z4SOlKVEBkUv_reF0D0WM8m7n4dkTDFg7tJ9Qkc9`h/m)AOjz׈Eh/m)AOj`׉EEagle Scout creates American Flag retirement boxes for MFD Mayor Gary Christenson’s Budget Letter to Malden City Council Presenting the FY2026 Municipal Budget Proposal Council, Dear Members of the City I am pleased to present the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for your thoughtful review and consideration. Let me waste little time in getting to the heart of the matter. Year after year of trying to do Pictured from left to right are Boy Scout Troop 603 members: Eagle Scout Scott Gage, Steven Laurence, Stephen Walker, James Gage, Nefaset Zinzami, Assistant Scoutmaster Steven Ciampa and Scout Leader Jason Altieri. (Courtesy photo) Special to The Advocate L ate last year when Scott Gage of Boy Scout Troop 603 was working to earn his Eagle Scout Badge, he reached out to Deputy Chief James Dockery in Fire Prevention to let him know what his Eagle Scout Project would be. He wanted to build three wooden American Flag retirement boxes, one for each Fire Station in Malden. BOXES | SEE PAGE 9 Mayor submits $236.1 million FY2026 municipal budget proposal to Malden City Council Another challenging year for city finances, but budget is balanced with no projected job cuts By Steve Freker M ayor Gary Christenson has submitted a balanced budget proposal of $236,117,62 to the Malden City Council for its review for fiscal year 2026 (FY2026). FY2026 covers municipal expenditures from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. At its last full meeting, the City Council voted unanimously to receive the Mayor’s budget proposal and refer it to the Council’s Finance Committee for complete review. The $236.1 million budget proposal represents an increase of about 8.3%, or about $12 million, over last year’s FY25 figure of $224 million. Mayor Christenson, in his transmittal letter to the City Council, noted several key points Mayor Gary Christenson BUDGET | SEE PAGE 9 more with less is finally catching up to us, and we have reached a point as a community where we must identify additional significant revenue or be faced with making extremely difficult decisions relative to service delivery and costs. This year’s budget uses the last of the ARPA funds at our disposal in the amount of $3.2 million, PLUS an additional $5.2 million from free cash. Looking forward to what this means as a starting point for next year would tell anyone that this is simply not sustainable, yet these increases simply fund ongoing government operations at their current service level. There are no new initiatives, no staff additions, and school spending is at the minimum level required by law. I have been Mayor for almost 14 years now, and in that capacity have become used to the realities of the limitations of our local finances. As a largely developed urban city, the opportunities for large-scale transformational development are virtually non-existent. We are overly reliant upon property tax revenue growth to fund ongoing cost increases. Throughout much of this time, we have had the benefit of low-inflationary environments, which have helped contain costs in many areas, from health insurance to wage growth and everything in between. This combined with the recognition that Malden must ‘do more with less’ has allowed us to operate with balanced budgets while largely protecting our rainy day fund (free cash). However, the postCovid inflationary environment is simply wreaking havoc on municipal budgets, which aren’t setup to be able to accommodate these types of cost increases. You have heard this from many of our surrounding communities, and we are not immune from these pressures. This year’s budget finds several significant factors adding to an already fragile budget and creating a problem that will require some significant action to chart LETTER | SEE PAGE 4 ׉ 7cassandra://CdG6z4SOlKVEBkUv_reF0D0WM8m7n4dkTDFg7tJ9Qkc9`h/m)AOjah/m)AOj` rבCטUru׉׉ 7cassandra://z85VjRquEhw4v0OnpVm_yM4zIdfEVnYjmWw9Cpw5obE`'p׉ 7cassandra://TERWXCna3Xl6mhml0Z5nq-ywC_NyWuw3lMjlT3GTQusͮ%`׉ 7cassandra://Fskyylqtu8cWy5u-tqUG4jdFLoHlmj3bDjdb5xniCBM8l`h/m)AOj}טUUru׉׉ 7cassandra://BrvhlJlcuJWdnVgulJ1OwGgihGVOPDs0RTlDGuTWgNs9|`'p׉ 7cassandra://vHhyn3DKbgtlnLFlwF6eKG3AKQBL1PTpBulC7_skBM8ͪ`׉ 7cassandra://6xGtlwAAJ_H9pRFFowpdamhNKz2BBd5pyjNUxbAqcxM2d`h/m)AOj~נh/m)AOj7"9ׁHhttp://TONYSAUTOBODYLLC.COMׁ ׁ Јנh/m)AOj mo99ׁHhttp://fest.orgׁ ׁ Јנh/m)AOj /9ׁHmailto:team@maldenporchfest.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉EPage 2 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 Malden Celebrates Neurodiverse Youth with Sensory-Friendly Event Special to The Advocate T he City of Malden proudly hosted “Bright Minds, Quiet Spaces: A Sensory-Friendly Celebration for Neurodiverse Youth and Families” this past Sunday at the Salemwood School. The event welcomed residents of all ages and abilities to enjoy calming, sensory-friendly playrooms, quiet decompression areas, interactive activities and a comGerry 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 Pictured (standing, from left): Northeast Arc Autism Support Center Coordinator Amanda Spartichino, Disability Commission Members Marilyn Andrews, Ralph Long and Katie Doyle, and Malden DEI Coordinator Kashawna Harling. filled with warmth, understanding and community spirit. “As a parent of a neurodiverse child, this event was deeply personal for me. I know how important it is for families like mine to have spaces where everyone feels welcomed, seen and supported,” said Malden DEI Coordinator Kashawna Harling. “I’m so grateful for the incredible turnout and our community’s support. Bright Minds, Quiet Spaces was more than an event; it reflected what inclusion can look like when we lead with empathy and intention.” For more information or to learn how to get involved in future events, please contact kharling@cityofmalden.org. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@ advocatenews.net munity resource fair. The event, which was a collaboration between the Malden Disabilities Commission, Malden Police Department, Malden Recreation Department and local partners, provided a joyful, inclusive space where neurodiverse youth could play, connect and explore at their own pace. With music-free zones, hands-on sensory activities and plenty of pizza and snacks, it was an afternoon ׉ 7cassandra://Fskyylqtu8cWy5u-tqUG4jdFLoHlmj3bDjdb5xniCBM8l`h/m)AOjb׉E THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 Page 3 Malden Porchfest 2025 kicks off on May 31 Daylong community-focused event, now in its fourth year, is expected to be biggest PorchFest to date O n Saturday, May 31, Malden PorchFest, a community-wide free arts festival, is coming again across the city. This year’s event is set to be its biggest ever, with 143 performers and 59 hosts participating. Free music by talented performers right in Malden! PorchFest is a free all-ages festival with a wide range of performers who reflect the diversity and experiences of the city — with locations in each neighborhood. PorchFest’s overall goal is to strengthen connections between residents within the Malden community, spotlight the unique characteristics of Malden’s vibrant music scene and give voice to lesser-known local organizations. Attendees are encouraged to explore the city and check out musical acts while connecting with neighbors. As in previous years, Malden PorchFest will feature block parties, countless porch and yard performances, stages at City Hall Plaza, Idle Hands Brewery, Starbucks, Pisa Pizza, and a new stage at Bike to the Sea’s Bike Kitchen on Canal Street, to name a few. Funded in part by the Adelaide Breed Bayrd Foundation, the Malden Cultural Council, the Mass Cultural Council and the Malden Industrial Aid Society, Malden PorchFest is designed to celebrate the arts by allowing local musicians and other performers — comedians, spoken word poets and more — to have a space to share their art and build community with other Maldonians. The organizing team is made up of volunteers who are committed to music and building community. More volunteers are always welcome. If you want to participate as a host, performer or volunteer, please go to maldenporchfest. org or email the organizing team at team@maldenporchfest.org. A schedule of the day’s events can be found at maldenporchfest.org. Malden PorchFest is for everyone, see you on May 31! If We Happen To Meet By Accident ... You’ll Be Glad You Found Us! There is a difference between the rest and the BEST! Celebrating 46 Years In Business! TONY’S AUTO BODY Forestdale Park Seeks Donations for Malden Immigrant Family Services F orestdale Park Senior Living is currently seeking donations to support the Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI) in Malden. Your contributions will make a significant difference in the lives of those in need. The IFSI helps immigrants navigate what services are available to them and transition to life in the United States. Donations needed: • Hygiene kits (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, etc.) • Feminine pads and other feminine hygiene products • Snacks • Bottled water Donations can be dropped off at 341 Forest St. in Malden now through May 30. Every donation, regardless of size, plays a crucial role in our efforts to support immigrants who are settling in our own backyard. Contact 781-333-8903 for more information. Call or Visit 781-321-0032 34 Sharon Street Malden, MA 02148 TONYSAUTOBODYLLC.COM COME VISIT OUR STATE OF THE ART BODY SHOP • Computerized Paint Matching (State of the Art Spray Booth) • Computerized Frame Machines • P.P.G. Refinishing System • R134 + 1234yf A/C Machines Fully Insured -RS2415 Insurance Company Approval ALL OUR WORK IS GUARANTEED! TONY BARTOLO Owner 46 Years Let Us Handle Your Next Insurance Claim. Go With the BEST It Doesn’t Get BETTER! RENTAL CARS Available ׉ 7cassandra://6xGtlwAAJ_H9pRFFowpdamhNKz2BBd5pyjNUxbAqcxM2d`h/m)AOjch/m)AOjb rבCטUru׉׉ 7cassandra://fp5ncA22hSfd_j_OR6zxZhfGr40i_dzeqWtI4qFrqTok`'p׉ 7cassandra://vIZCa2BRgQzeK9GI1Q_bRifK9sl8TwLbjKzO2DYKK70ͩ `׉ 7cassandra://tO7X16_-4d0CFRyJIm6WA-SitJLhFcLMrXlOl79MCTE23`h/m)AOjטUUru׉׉ 7cassandra://tf5_sI28K-1sOCnCPU4LRYSonTvRBMpIT2USN3R40qs=`'p׉ 7cassandra://Qzh99hp_Yn5d4lv1HDcUbBXqwiCE96dC5BKmKMxwhZwͮ`׉ 7cassandra://51SZ2EDNTamBCM2-rG6acU1BXE2t2r_plbzgqpN6JZk5`h/m)AOjנh/m)AOj \9ׁHhttp://WWW.SABATINO-INS.COMׁ ׁ Ј׉EvPage 4 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 LETTER | FROM PAGE 1 a more predictable course. The multi-year trend in double-digit Health Insurance increases continues, with a 17% increase in premiums for active insurance plans for FY2026. Our consultants tell us this is expected to continue as the costs of everything from nurses to weightloss drugs and everything in between drive health insurance costs higher. Our team is looking at every available option to contain these costs while providing our employees with quality health care. Any potential mutually beneficial changes would not yield dividends until the next annual budget. On the education front, our schools continue to see benefits from the Student Opportunity Act (SOA), which has increased both Chapter 70 Aid and the amount we as a City are required to contribute. I’ve covered in depth the lack of equity in the school funding formulas and won’t belabor that point here. However, this is certainly a significant factor in the structurLawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net MALDEN CITY COUNCIL: The members of the Malden City Council’s Finance Committee will review the FY2026 Municipal Budget Proposal of $236.1 million submitted by Mayor Gary Christenson. The City Council includes, from left to right: Front row: Jadeane Sica (Ward 8), Chris Simonelli (Ward 7), Carey McDonald (at-large), Ari Taylor (Ward 5) and Amanda Linehan (Ward 3); back row: Peg Crowe (Ward 1), Craig Spadafora (at-large), Karen Colón Hayes (at-large), Paul Condon (Ward 2), City Council President Ryan O’Malley (Ward 4) and Stephen Winslow (Ward 6). (Courtesy/City of Malden) al deficit. Make no mistake about it, SOA has provided valuable additional funding to our schools, while putting additional pressure on an already out-of-balance local contribution requirement. We must be aware of the impact of the end of SOA in FY2027 and the difficulties school districts will face in adjusting to a ‘new normal’ with annual increases returning to norms at the same time that contractual obligations have been locked in well above these levels. Additionally, this year’s budget carries an almost $1 million cost associated with the NE Voke school building project. While of course much needed to provide a quality education to the students who attend from Malden, this additional burden is significant for Malden and simply adds to an already difficult budget situation. The coverage of the challenges we face would not be complete without covering a couple of important components, despite whatever discomfort comes with recognizing them. First, numbers don’t lie. Malden generates fewer tax dollars per dollar of assessed value than all but two gateway cities. Put another way, our blended tax rate is lower than the norm, the average, and just about every other gateway city. This may present itself in different ways in each community on the residential rate side depending on the ability to shift the burden to the commercial side. The realities of Prop 2 1/2 have ensured that absent overrides, communities are set to stay in a tight band from where they started. Consider Malden as compared to Everett, Fall River, Taunton and New Bedford. All four have assessed values at or below that of Malden, yet on average, they generate $39 million more in tax revenue! This sits at the very foundation of our challenges. Where to from here? Immediately upon the conclusion of this budget, it’s my intent to work with the City Council to establish a working group to look holistically at the structural deficit to chart a course for the future. Everything will need to be on the table. That we are not alone in this predicament is of little consolation. We must identify a solution that works for us as a community, and do so taking into account the great knowledge of this community that we possess. It’s difficult to predict the future, but we can see some things coming, and that will play an important part in trying to develop a long-term plan to address the current structural deficit. Respectfully submitted, Mayor Gary Christenson ׉ 7cassandra://tO7X16_-4d0CFRyJIm6WA-SitJLhFcLMrXlOl79MCTE23`h/m)AOjd׉E THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 Page 5 Malden FY2026 City Budget: Priorities and Issues H ere are some of the guides used by the City of Malden Budget Team in shaping this year’s municipal budget: —Starting the Transition Away from Federal Dollars • American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds have allowed for funding some new initiatives, positions and priorities on the City of Malden and Public Schools side. • December of 2024 was the cutoff for encumbering funds; must be actually spent by the end of 2026. • The last $3.2 million of Malden’s initial allotment of $45.7 million in 2021 was included and will be spent in this year’s FY2026 budget. • Need to start the thoughtful transition to avoid a jarring change. —Continued Focus on Lead Line Replacements • Maximize the potential of the American Rescue Plan Act in advancing the lead line replacement initiative. • Expansion of lead line replacement to the private side. • Prudent utilization of Massachusetts Water Resource Authority programs with forgiveness provisions for the same. —Continuing Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion • The budget fully funds the previously added position of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Coordinator and the continuation of funding added last year for associated support. • $350,000 committed by the Mayor to improve language access is not reflected in the budget, as that is funded by the ARPA funds . • Plan for School Funding Changes and NE Voke. —Significant local dollars will be required to meet the SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available Sabatino Insurance is proud to welcome the loyal customers of ALWAYS READY TO SERVE YOU: Our Staff are, Emma Davidson, Jeimy Sanchez, Josephine Leone, Marie D’Amore, Rocco Longo, Z’andre Lopez, Anthony DiPierro, Darius Goudreau, Laurette Murphy, Danielle Goudreau and Tina Davidson. PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM required local contribution, which is formula driven and not optional in order to meet net school spending requirements. • Northeast Voke school building costs will add $1.3 million in new expenses to the City budget in FY2026 and beyond. Drive Utilization and Revenue for Parking Garages • Post-COVID return to the office has been slow and sporadic resulting in light usage of garages and declining revenue. • Validation programs to support business haven’t driven revenue; we will transition to more revenue generating approaches by the end of 2023. • Must find users for capacity, as garages are resource intensive and in constant need of capital repairs. ׉ 7cassandra://51SZ2EDNTamBCM2-rG6acU1BXE2t2r_plbzgqpN6JZk5`h/m)AOjeh/m)AOjd rבCטUru׉׉ 7cassandra://fJ3xPJwe6OfUGBECSVqtTTfNptlm9JCS8k-BMHGzhfQ 5`'p׉ 7cassandra://3_DG6qz2uGq5f1TZtReJG5OZDTnO8bN8t3IjICcGpAQͷ`׉ 7cassandra://OGV6A2ftQt3GVYq90QQyE0fzHdBv0azVtPF_PaK-sLc24`h/m)AOjטUUru׉׉ 7cassandra://Q3iTACPBIjIOQON7A_G8MhRYvstEEfNurXrkThJywck`'p׉ 7cassandra://u8wLuJ79adzC6AwT8Qgo5FUvODPZe_WgA0DYD0MojswȤ`׉ 7cassandra://igxZPhv0Fryn5V523VNzPDm1kk_ub4W8ADTsviPQmyE7`h/m)AOjנh/m)AOjG$9ׁHhttp://www.810bargrille.comׁ ׁ Јנh/m)AOj p/q9ׁHmailto:teL39@aol.comׁ ׁ Јנh/m)AOj&9ׁHhttp://www.everettaluminum.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E!Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 ~ Malden Musings ~ Happy Birthday, Dom Fermano By Peter Levine H e’s Dom Fermano… and we are most definitely not! The original Edgeworth matinee idol, Malden’s very own OG, and much like his legendary paisan Frank Sinatra, Dom’s been doing it his way since day one — with swagger, smarts and a whole lot of Edgeworth soul. And would you believe it? This May, the man, the myth, the Malden legend Dom “The Unofficial Mayor of Wherever He Stands” Fermano (charisma sourced in Italy, applicable worldwide) turns 85 years young! Still sharper than you or me, smoother than a Sinatra ballad and rocking that “hardest working man in show biz” title like a champ (think Tony DeMarco meets Rocky Graziano). So next time you see Dom, 425r Broadway, Saugus Located adjacent to Kohls Plaza Route 1 South in Saugus at the intersection of Walnut Street We are on MBTA Bus Route 429 781-231-1111 We are a Skating Rink with Bowling Alleys, Arcade and two TV’s where the ball games are always on! PUBLIC SKATING SCHEDULE 12-7 p.m. Sunday Monday Tuesday $10.00 Price includes Roller Skates Rollerblades/inline skates $3.00 additional cost Private Parties 7:30-11 p.m. Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday $11.00 Price includes Roller Skates 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM - ID Required Private Parties Private Parties 4-8 p.m. $10.00 8:30-11 p.m. $11. 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM - ID Required 12-9 p.m. $10.00 Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Sorry No Checks - ATM on site Roller skate rentals included in all prices Inline Skate Rentals $3.00 additional BIRTHDAY & PRIVATE PARTIES AVAILABLE www.roller-world.com tip your hat, shake his hand and wish him a happy birthday — trust me, he’s keeping score! (Just kidding… mostly.) Here’s to you, Dom — a great friend, the real deal and a class act. Wishing you many, many more years of laughs, love, tales from yesteryear, San Rock Festas and bocce ball! Hope you had a great surprise party! It is said in “Malden Musings”... • Delighted I was as I opened last week’s Malden Advocate to see my former next-door neighbors on Seaview Avenue, the Walkers, receiving a family award from the local scout district! Malden Troop 603 Committee Chair Steve Walker, Bear Scout Dillion Walker of Pack 615 and Dillion’s pop, Pack 615 Cubmaster Andrew. Look at Dillion, grown up and so handsome! Congratulations, Walker family, tell Cathy I said hello! • Luigi Di Marco, originally of Brittoli, Provincia de Pescara, Italy, on April 2, 2025, at 80 years of age. Life carries on but love continues. Rest in peace. “Le mie più sentite condoglianze” to the Di Marco family. • 90 Salem Street, we salute you! Now a show piece of a structure sprouting up out of the ashes of an estate that saw better days during the (Walter J.) Kelliher administration! The First Baptist, Converse Memorial Building, the Davenport Memorial Home/ Estate, the Central Fire House, now 90 Salem Street, Malden’s very own version of the Yank’s legendary Murderer’s Row! Fuhgeddaboudit (said in my best Donnie Brasco voice)! • Audrey P. (Shulman) Adleman, 84, of Melrose, formerly of Malden. May her memory be a blessing. • We get letters... Bobby O’Brien, step right up: “Let me contribute my GOATs, but not necessarily Maldencentric. My post-1960 best area athletes: Malden - John Salmon, Red Harris, Neil Hurley, San Rock Festa Grease Pole circa late 1950s — MBTA tracks in the background — late MPD Commissioner Sal “Butch” Gennetti front and center (with full head of hair!) pleading for help from above, and birthday boy Dom Fermano (top right). & Paul Murphy. Melrose - Richie Umile & Doug Prentice. Medford - Eddie Rideout & Bill Monbouquette.” Thank you, Bobby, very impressive. • I did a Google on Doug Prentice — simply amazing athletic career! He’s stone-cold Melrose from what I can make out, but I am sure he visited Malden back in the day. Melrose — never known for their pizza or taverns (also known for their lack of “packys”). Melrose friends — said with all due respect, of course. Insert smiley face. • More on DP: Doug got a full boat to play football at Boston College; later signed as a free agent by the Atlantic Braves; pitched a great game at Lowell in 1983 for Melrose (Rams) in the ICL State Finals against (Billerica’s) Tommy Glavine and was All Middlesex League in hoop. Amazing! Doug, reach out if this makes it into your living space. • I saw the future of comedy a couple of weeks back at the Disabled American Veterans Hall on Willow Street (thank you, Pat McFee) and his name is Tugboat Manny. Details to follow. • Best hockey slinger in Maldonia history that nobody remembers... Malden Catholic’s Eddy Sullivan? Boston College Beanpot Tournament record holder and stone-cold Malden (via Edgeworth) back in 1961 at the Beanpot, Eddy tied a record by scoring five goals in a single game. The Herculean effort had been achieved only by Harvard’s Bill Cleary in 1955, later by fellow Maldonian (and Edgeworth guy) Mikey Powers in 1973. More on Eddy in the very near future. • I keep telling my brother Joe, I don’t always get it correct but if I write it wrong, Maldonia usually lets me know (“the more I write, the more I’m wrong,” correct Greg?). Dagnabbit (said in my best Yosemite Sam voice)! Maldonia reached out to me once again in the form of a missive from young Al Glynn. Seems pops was miffed that I got the chronology of the long-gone Charlie Brown’s/Strandway reversed. In no uncertain terms, he let me know that when the Strandway closed it then morphed into Charlie Brown’s (not the other way around, as I had misinformed Maldonia, once again). Duly noted, young Al, and please let your handsome parents, Al and Barbara, know that I look forward to seeing them at the San Rock Festa this summer. I wouldn’t mind seeing you and your handsome mug again either! “Raise a Glass: Remembering Maldonia’s Greatest Bartenders”: There was a time — not so long ago, though it feels like another lifetime — when every neighborhood in Malden had its own corner bar, its own familiar faces, its own little piece of home. Places where the jukebox played too loud (or didn’t play at all), where the lights were dim (or nonexistent) and where the bartender wasn’t just someone serving drinks — they were part-time counselors, peacemakers/bouncers, relatives or old friends. In those smoky rooms (remember smoky rooms?!) where laughter (does anybody remember laughter?) and (at times) extreme shenanigans took place, bartenders stood as steady fixtures of the community. They remembered ׉ 7cassandra://OGV6A2ftQt3GVYq90QQyE0fzHdBv0azVtPF_PaK-sLc24`h/m)AOjf׉ETHE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 Page 7 your name, your story, your favorite booth or bar stool and (of course) cocktail of choice. And maybe, if you stayed late enough, they’d share a few stories of their own (and a few drinks on the house). Today, I want to honor a few of the names that helped shape those golden years — the first installment of the Greatest Bartenders in the History of Maldonia: • Pete Trabucco, Highland Café/ Cremones • Walter Wishoski, Mike’s Café • Franny Spadafora, Albert’s Beer Garden at the San Rock Festa • Jimmy Palermo, Anthony’s Restaurant/Italian American Citizen’s Club • Mike Picillo, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge • Frankie Villa, Italian American War Veterans Club • Paul Gennetti, Highland Café • Maureen Wortman, Anthony’s Restaurant • Dante Mercurio, The Stadium Café • Tommy Denehy, Ancient Order of Hibernians • Bobby McCoy, The Roadside • Dave “The Elbow Enforcer” Angelo, IACC/Highland Café • Mary Brown Spadafora, Anthony’s Restaurant • Ralph Kelly, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge • Richie Morando, Highland Café/Hilltop Steakhouse • Steve Kelleher, Malden Legion Post 69 • Jason “The All American American” Munroe, East Side A.A. Of course, everyone had their bartender — the one who always seemed to know when you needed a drink or just needed someone to listen to (or knew when to shut you off). These names are just a start. Tell me yours. Tell me your/ their stories. Because in Malden, it was never just about the bar — it was about the people who made you feel like you belonged. Am I right? As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” — “Across the Universe” to Maldonia, April 1970. The world shook as Paul McCartney shattered Beatle Nation with a simple press release — his departure — a quiet thunderclap that signaled the end of an era. While the headlines screamed and fans mourned, somewhere beyond the known, in a place called Maldonia, my life took a memorable path. Five childhood friends ventured out of their safety zone — Edgeworth — for a short trip, a memory that would last a lifetime. In remembrance of that day in April of ’70 when the Beatles broke our hearts (and the day in early 1969 when I purchased the record that would change my childhood), I bring to you (once again), dear readers (no need to thank me), this Maldonia tale of yesteryear... We started walking to the Square on that long ago Saturday morning at about 10. We walked everywhere back in the day or rode our 10-speed Schwinn’s as most kids in pre-two- or three-car households did. We walked down Charles Street past the A.O.H., Wendell’s Barber Shop, DeMarco’s Café (now home to Pisa Pizza), Everett Supplies Aluminum 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Celebrating 66 Years in Business! •Vinyl Siding •Free Estimates •Carpentry Work •Fully Licensed •Decks •Roof ng • Fully Insured • Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! the Italian American Citizen’s Club and the Gas Tanks, then turned left onto Commercial Street. I recall post Yankee Village Commercial Street in those days (right in the middle of the big Urban Renewal push in Malden) as an industrial wasteland; large, dark, ominous brick buildings — mostly vacant and desolate — they reeked of chemicals, industrial waste and Malden’s less than glamorous manufacturing past. We gleefully picked up random heavy projectiles, threw them at the windows of abandoned brick monstrosities, smashed a few, then mischievously trotted the rest of the way to Pleasant Street (which in those days had no large, soulless City Hall building in the middle of it — aka The Beast That Ate Pleasant Street). The walk to Jordan Marsh from there was a short one. Our goal that distant day in May of 1969 was to procure our very own copy of the latest Beatles LP — called by some simply the White Album. The 4 Mop Tops were on top of the world in 1968, and those of us who loved pop music in the All-American berg of Malden were just as crazed about them as the rest of the universe. We trudged up to the third floor (?) where they stocked their vinyl; paid (I believe) close to nine dollars; brought the platter home and for months wondered why there was no inner album sleeve to marvel at! I am now on my 56th year (yikes!) of enjoying that very same mind-blowing vinyl album. Best $9 my mother ever spent. LOL. Postscript 1: I also became a Kinks fanatic when moms surprised me on Christmas morning 1975 with “The Kink Kronikles” festively wrapped under the tree with my name on it. She knew her children well. Postscript 2: Even I was confused by my own timeline; for clarification purposes I submit the following: The White Album was released in November of 1968; we walked to the Square in early 1969 (mom probably didn’t give us permission to walk past Highland Avenue until I turned 12 (LOL); Sir Paul turned the world upside down in 1970. —Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate. He can be reached at PeteL39@aol.com for comments, compliments or criticisms. 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 Open Tues. - Sat. at 4:00 PM Closed Sun. & Mon. 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Friends and Friends of the MPL Chinese Culture Connection Executive Director Mei Hung Mayor’s Office Administrative Officer Kathleen Manning Hall, Mayor Gary Christenson, Peter Caso, Friends of the MPL President Mary Ellen O’Meara, Special Assistant to the Mayor Maria Luise Friends members President Mary Ellen O’Meara, Dave Ball (Auctioneer), Angela Han and Huy Nguyen Friends of the MPL members Glynn Crum and Huy Nguyen MPL Assistant Kelly Lam and Angela Han Sheila Taymore and Frank Boyland Friends of the MPL members Ellie Moreton and Glynn Crum Friends of the MPL member Huy Nguyen and MPL Assistant Director Marita Coombs Friends of the MPL members Secretary Diane Keys and VP Marion Browning Mayor’s Office Administrative Officer Kathleen Manning Hall, Special Assistant to the Mayor Maria Luise, MPL Director Dora St. Martin and Mayor Gary Christenson Special Assistant to the Mayor Maria Luise and former City Council President Neil Anderson Happy Memorial Day Weekend! 2.79 24 Mid-grade Regular $3.37 24 Over 47 Years of Excellence! 1978 - 2025 Full Service ULS TRUCK STOP $2.73 Order online at angelosoil.com Friends of the MPL Secretary Diane Keys at the Silent Auction Table Sheila Taymore and Friends of the MPL President Mary Ellen O’Meara The ITZ trio playing cool jazz. (Courtesy photos) Linda Cline and Sheila Taymore FLEET CARD Check Out Our LOW PRICES! ׉ 7cassandra://1UMxCJsfHO5xJo9WBi927cgWTFZNqdsc73faNiWytgc=`h/m)AOjh׉E!3THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 Page 9 BUDGET | FROM PAGE 1 in relation to the FY2026 budget proposal, including that the Malden Public Schools are fully funded as to Net School Spending; the end of the added American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds after this year’s budget; and that there are no projected job cuts on the city or school side of this year’s budget. Notably, there are also no new positions proposed nor funded in the Mayor’s FY2026 spending plan. Though the budget is indeed balanced and funded with all of the city’s available resources, the Mayor did make it clear — as he has done with several of the most recent years’ budgets — that the city’s available and projectable revenue sources do not match up with municipal expenditures. The Mayor has identified this situation as “a structural deficit” within the municipal budget. This has been a point of contention both by the Mayor and his strategic planning team and the members of the City Council for several years now. There has been much discussion and explanations of the disparities between the Chapter 70 funding formula for schools, as it pertains to Malden as opposed to similar school districts nearby. Also, according to the Mayor, Malden has a sizable discrepancy with regard to the revenues it takes in for property taxes as opposed to that received by other similar, nearby communities. As Malden is a “Gateway Community” along with a number of others in the region, the Mayor notBOXES | FROM PAGE 1 The entire Troop assisted in the design and building of the three wooden American Flag retirement boxes, each standing four feet tall and two feet wide. The boxes feature slow-closing hinges for safe and easy access, and a custom vinyl poster on the front displaying the Malden Fire Department logo, along with Scott’s name and Eagle Scout rank. The project was a collaborative effort with the entire Troop 603, who built the boxes from scratch. They were delivered to the Malden Fire Department in February 2025. The ed that Malden receives the second lowest tax revenue per dollar of assessed property value than any of the 26 other Gateway designees. “The coverage of the challenges we face would not be complete without covering a couple of important components, despite whatever discomfort comes with recognizing them,” the Mayor wrote. “First, numbers don’t lie. Malden generates fewer tax dollars per dollar of assessed value than all but two gateway cities. Put another way, our blended tax rate is lower than the norm, the average, and just about every other gateway city.” Specifically, the Mayor pointed out that four Gateway Cities — Everett, Fall River, Taunton and New Bedford — all have lower total combined assessed property value than Malden, but generate $39 million more in tax revenue than Malden. “This sits at the very foundation of our challenges,” the Mayor stated. “The realities of [Proposition 2 ½] have ensured that absent overrides, communities are set to stay in a tight band from where they started.” Proposition 2 ½ is a Massachusetts law enacted in 1980 that strictly limits the amount of property tax revenue a municipality can raise through real and personal property taxes. Specifically, the overall property tax levy can rise only 2 1/2% overall per year in Massachusetts. Education spending continues to be the biggest portion of the budget — nearly 45% of the toboxes were created to provide the community with a respectful place to deposit old and worn American flags until they can be properly retired during a ceremonial burning hosted by the City of Malden. “I was inspired to work with the Fire Department and honor the American flag because of my great-uncle, a World War II Navy Veteran, and my uncle, a firefighter in Somerville,” said Eagle Scout Gage. “It was an honor to partner with the Malden Fire Department on this project, and I am truly grateful for their support and involvement throughout the process.” tal figure — and for the first time surpassing the $100 million level this year; projected at $102.17 million in the Mayor’s proposal. With last year’s Malden Public Schools budget at just over $96 million, this year’s proposed expenditure for education represents a 6% increase, or $5.8 million. Overall, the complete municipal budget proposal represents a balanced budget, but — essentially — a level-funded fiscal year. Mayor Christenson noted this point in his transmittal letter to the City Council that accompanied his budget proposal. “[All budget proposal] increases simply fund ongoing government operations at their current service level,” the Mayor stated. “There are no new initiatives, no staff additions, and school spending is at the minimum level required by law.” The Mayor, on a positive note, did note that the city’s school funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) and in turn, the Chapter 70 funding, has increased about $5.7 million overall for FY26. That $5.7 million increase from the state funding represents nearly to the dollar the amount that is proposed for the increase in the Malden Public Schools budget for FY2026. Mayor Christenson told the Councillors in his budget transmittal letter that the increase in Chapter 70 funding, while positive, also included an increase in the amount the city must contribute to education spending under the Student Opportunity Act. “On the education front, our schools continue to see benefits from the Student Opportunity Act (SOA), which has increased both Chapter 70 Aid and the amount we as a City are required to contribute,” the Mayor stated, noting “lack of equity in the school funding formulas ...is certainly a significant factor in the structural deficit.” “Make no mistake about it, SOA has provided valuable additional funding to our schools, while putting additional pressure on an already out-of-balance local contribution requirement,” the Mayor added. Additional burdens on the already challenged budget this year include: — A 17% increase in premiums for active insurance plans for municipal employees for FY2026, with the Mayor stating, “Our team is looking at every available option to contain these costs while providing our employees with quality health care.” — A $926,000 additional debt service payment toward the construction of the new Northeast Metropolitan Vocational High School facility, now underway, where 197 Malden resident students attend. This and the FY2026 overall assessment of $2.65 million are included in the $102.17 million education line item. Mayor Christenson also noted that this FY2026 budget exhausts the last of the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds ($3.2 million) while the city must use $5.2 million from its free cash (“rainy day fund”) to balance the budget. “Looking forward to what this means as a starting point for next year would tell anyone that this is simply not sustainable,” Mayor Christenson stated. As for what lies ahead, Mayor Christenson said he and his strategic planning team are poised to join with the City Council in coming up with ideas to address the structural deficit within the municipal budget. “Immediately upon the conclusion of this budget, it’s my intent to work with the City Council to establish a working group to look holistically at the structural deficit to chart a course for the future,” Mayor Christenson stated. “Everything will need to be on the table. That we are not alone in this predicament is of little consolation,” the Mayor added. “We must identify a solution that works for us as a community, and do so taking into account the great knowledge of this community that we possess.” The City Council referred the budget proposal to its Finance Committee for review, which will now go over most departments’ budgets with department heads in individual committee meetings. The Council may not add funds to the budget proposal in its voting, but is allowed to cut from the budget as it deems necessary. A Council vote must be taken on the budget by June 30 or before that date, so as to ensure operations are funded and begin for FY2026 on July 1, 2025. SAVE $350when you transform your patio into an outdoor oasis. Instant shade—at the touch of a button. Enjoy more quality time with family and friends. Up to 10-Year Limited Warranty. SAVE$350 TODAY! Call 1-833-626-0576 now to America’s #1 Awning! ׉ 7cassandra://k07q3EAR4VZOG41n0iMNvqXKtByBqMvTzJr8GY8tCz00`h/m)AOjih/m)AOjh rבCטUru׉׉ 7cassandra://ncQ26R_ZbNGxqSqXmPqWGaNMEgjrLhf4i7Tvqd4MesQ`'p׉ 7cassandra://0jycg0ubW1OJvN6YlUr1EMqbSO1bc3pw7OZ-bOOrGGQ͠0`׉ 7cassandra://4WSgs98Vp3tcC3bM_rLJ6d7dR0oLCORGmphmDGPZxG87`h/m )AOjטUUru׉׉ 7cassandra://SU8DSRpMnRCu2sOyczbjw3GlUvSqsKGRtQuEQwfJyXI' `'p׉ 7cassandra://xVNEmtQo3o5-n6fT5BImSA1o9b5G457DDTUewbh-yTcͮF`׉ 7cassandra://eGSnXyI1obN-FnEtQgMttzFqa5L1vQXXEzDeOx8ZFl48`h/m!)AOj׉EPage 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 Memorial Day 2025 Mayor Though we can never repay our debt to them, we honor those men and women. Gary Christenson & The Malden City Government Representative Ultrino State Steve Spadafora Councillor-At-Large Craig Ward 1 School Committee Michael Drummey BUSINESS ACCOUNTS WELCOME State State Senator Jason Lewis Representative Paul J. Donato Ward 2 School Committee Rob McCarthy Malden Trans / Malden Taxi 781-322-5050 Lester, Peggy & David Morovitz 24 Hour AIRPORT SERVICE PACKAGE DELIVERY ׉ 7cassandra://4WSgs98Vp3tcC3bM_rLJ6d7dR0oLCORGmphmDGPZxG87`h/m)AOjj׉ETHE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 Page 11 A NIGHT OF LAUGHTER AND HOPE! Malden Overcoming Addiction’s annual Comedy Night raises critical funds for recovery services M alden Overcoming Addiction (MOA) hosted its beloved annual Comedy Night Fundraiser, bringing together members of the recovery community, supporters and friends for an unforgettable evening of connection, joy and purpose. Guests enjoyed a night filled with delicious food, heartfelt stories, laughter and community spirit — all in support of expanding recovery resources in Malden. Thanks to the generosity of attendees and sponsors, MOA continues to make a real impact. Funds raised through events like Comedy Night allow the organization to grow its in-person and online recovery support services, which have been directly linked to a reduction in overdoses and fatalities in the community. Board members and event organizers Dawn Zanazzo, Linda Cochran and Karen Andrews once again created a warm and festive atmosphere; an array of baskets and gift cards added to the fun. Behind the scenes, board members Paul Bell and Dave Allan ensured everything ran smoothly. Guests were treated to a top-notch meal from Henry’s Catering of Malden, and the evening’s headline comedian, Paul Gilligan, had the crowd roaring with laughter. A highlight of the night was hearing from several individuals in recovery, who bravely shared their personal stories — powerful testaments to both the challenges of substance use disorder and the hope that recovery brings. Each speaker spoke with gratitude about the role MOA and the Bridge Recovery Center have played in their journey. Since assuming operations of the Bridge Recovery Center in July 2023, MOA has expanded its reach, offering even more consistent, compassionate care from its location on Commercial Street. Founded in 2013 by community members determined to confront the opioid crisis headon, MOA remains dedicated to raising awareness and providing life-saving support to individuals and families affected by substance use disorder. 50 ׉ 7cassandra://eGSnXyI1obN-FnEtQgMttzFqa5L1vQXXEzDeOx8ZFl48`h/m)AOjkh/m)AOjj rבCטUru׉׉ 7cassandra://bkczIfMS1veYw3uxzy4bdIdWIMGPl6fvLARve8KTNkU`'p׉ 7cassandra://kWNAs2z_1pEXHYfJ44_F0Ba95vt_362p1KXE6lWu_sE͵`׉ 7cassandra://UH4ye9WgA_Ip85Ae-gwUf_T4WXtowBjitZSDIgUFy004`h/m!)AOjטUUru׉׉ 7cassandra://nYkJAaKwP_hkdG_SnUhPnQVfnp0tEYjhvdR9KD7P-C4 b`'p׉ 7cassandra://hJP_Je-AdbqlUr48vDV8vJjhqyjtZu-BMXsP1AbOhtkͼ`׉ 7cassandra://teLf6EFoX1bZH4ZPPfmE4ZhJXgdweWki-LLk3G9hoq0.M`h/m!)AOjנh/m")AOjAz 9ׁHhttp://www.massterlist.comׁ ׁ Ј׉ExPage 12 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 Grand Opening of Phat Thaiger Special to The Advocate M ayor Gary Christenson attended the Grand Opening ceremony of Phat Thaiger at 166 Eastern Ave. The unique cuisine is a bold celebration where two vibrant cultures — Thailand and Japan — merge in a harmonious fusion of flavor, design and experience. Phat Thaiger invites guests to participate in the dynamic tastes of Thailand’s Isaan region and the refined artistry of Japanese izakaya dining. Business owners Nisa Thanangthirapong and Usanis Siritararatn are also behind the creation of Thaiger Den and Crying Thaiger, both Malden eateries offering cuisine that surprises and delights customers. Inspired by the fiery, aromatic dishes of Isaan — Northeastern Thailand — Phat Thaiger blends this bold culinary tradition with the elegance and subtlety of Japanese cuisine. At its heart is the spirit of the izakaya, a Japanese gastropub concept that offers a variety of small plates meant to be enjoyed with drinks in a relaxed, communal setting. Phat Thaiger honors this tradition while infusing it with the zest and vibrancy of Thai flavors. Phat Thaiger is more than a dining destination; it’s a cultural experience bringing together two rich culinary traditions to create something original and exciting. For more information, please call 617-488-8631. Malden Youth Council hosts inaugural summit in City Council Chamber Pictured from left to right: Tenzin Thamchoe, Reda Benhafoun, Kidus Tsige, Devyn DiMarco, Councillor-at-Large Karen Colón Hayes, Ollie Dodge, Sophie Tran, Sarah Job, Giuliannah Dormevil and Serena Lama. Not shown: Thomas Conti, Julia Gamitto and Benny Mei. O n Wednesday, April 23, the Malden Youth Council (MYC) hosted their inaugural summit in the City Council Chamber. As it is the first youth council of its kind, the members saw this event as a prime opportunity to showcase their achievements and inform other local youths about how to apply for membership in the coming year. The summit began with a galPictured from left to right: Pete Caso; Chamber of Commerce Director Marianne Cohen; Ward 7 Councillor Chris Simonelli; Phat Thaiger Co-Owner Usanis Siritararatn; Mayor Gary Christenson; Phat Thaiger Co-Owner Nisa Thanangthirapong; Ward 4 Councillor Ryan O’Malley; Ward 7 Councillor Steve Winslow; Eastern Bank VP Branch Manager Barsha Gautam; and Jason Law. (Courtesy photo) lery walk that traced the history and development of the Youth Council, setting the stage for the young members to take their seats at the council dais. They conducted their own meeting, following procedures similar to those used by the City Council. MYC President Ollie Dodge led the session with technical support from Sophie Tran. The members introduced themselves and shared insights about their application process and interviews with city councillors, commonly expressing a mix of nerves and pride. Following introductions, members took turns presenting key information about the council. Ollie Dodge discussed the mission and purpose of the MYC, explaining, “The Malden Youth Council (MYC) aims to amplify youth voices and boost civic engagement among young people. The MYC collaborates closely with other youth groups, schools, elected officials, and city government within Malden.” Devyn DiMarco outlined the QR code for applications governance structure of the MYC as a public body, and Sophie Tran and Giuliannah Dormevil detailed membership requirements. Applicants must be between 14 and 19 years old and attend one of Malden’s high schools — a conscious effort to represent all schools in the city. Sophie emphasized the importance of the time commitment, acknowledging the challenge of balancing meetings with extracurricular activities. “Meetings generally occur once a month but may increase to twice monthly during event planning,” she noted. MYC Clerk Sarah Job explained how meetings are organized and how agendas and minutes are made available on the city’s website. The formal segment concluded with Kidus Tsige highlighting the council’s accomplishments to date and outlining their future goals. For questions, email kcolonhayes@cityofmalden.org ׉ 7cassandra://UH4ye9WgA_Ip85Ae-gwUf_T4WXtowBjitZSDIgUFy004`h/m)AOjl׉E=ATHE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 Page 13 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – Join more than 30,000 people, from movers and shakers to political junkies and interested citizens, who start their weekday morning with MASSterList—the popular newsletter that chronicles news and informed analysis about what’s going on up on Beacon Hill, in Massachusetts politics, policy, media and influence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications. MASSterList will be e-mailed to you FREE every Monday through Saturday morning and will give you a leg up on what’s happening in the blood sport of Bay State politics. For more information and to get your free subscription, go to: www.massterlist.com THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives' votes on roll calls from recent House sessions debating the $61.47 billion fiscal year 2026 House version of the state budget. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. CONSOLIDATED HOUSING, JUDICIARY AND PUBLIC SAETY AMENDMENT (H 4000) House 154-2, approved a consolidated amendment adding $10.5 million in funding to Housing, Judiciary and Public Safety programs in the $61.47 billion fiscal year 2026 state budget. Much of the funding was for projects and programs proposed by individual representatives for their local districts. “This amendment underscores our values by investing in a wide range of housing line items that will help keep our residents housed, support our public housing authorities and provide tools to help residents during transitional times,” said Rep. Richard Haggerty (D-Woburn), House chair of the Housing Committee. “Housing is a huge component to our state’s longterm economic success and making sure people have a safe, affordable place to live is critically important.” Reps. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica) and Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick), the only two members to vote against the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them why they opposed the amendment. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes CONSOLIDATED ENERGY, ENVIRONMENTAL AND FOOD ASSISTANCE AMENDMENT (H 4000) House 154-3, approved a consolidated amendment adding $5.8 million in funding to Energy, Environmental and Food Assistance programs in the $61.47 billion fiscal year 2026 state budget. Much of the funding was for projects and programs proposed by individual representatives for their local districts. “[The amendment] makes important investments in the environment, including over $85 million for the Department of Environment Protection and over $160 million for the Department of Conservation and Recreation to support clean water and our parks and natural resources,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Christine Barber (D-Somerville), House chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. “Funding for the Department of Energy Resources builds in a new line item to directly support the objectives of the Climate Bill without adding to assessments that are passed on to the residents of the commonwealth.” Barber continued, “There are also significant investments in addressing food insecurity in the commonwealth - funding for Emergency Food Assistance is increased by $13 million to bring this line item to $55 million. In a time when the federal government is actively rolling back protections and damaging the environment, these financial investments continue to protect the commonwealth’s invaluable natural resources, coastlines and waterways, open spaces, wildlife and recreation areas and extend our imperative to address the urgency of climate change.” Reps. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica), Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick) and John Gaskey (R-Carver), the only three members to vote against the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them why they opposed the amendment. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes CONSOLIDATED LABOR AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT (H 4000) House 154-3, approved a consolidated amendment adding $25 million in funding to Labor and Economic Development programs in the $61.47 billion fiscal year 2026 state budget. Much of the funding was for projects and programs proposed by individual representatives for their local districts. "The amendment demonstrates the commitment the House has in investing in local economic development projects and supports the many amazing programs in our communities,” said Rep. Carole Fiola (D-Fall River), House chair of the Economic Development and Emerging Technologies Committee. “Along with the rest of the budget, these investments make a big impact for our constituents." Reps. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica), Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick and John Gaskey (R-Carver) the only three members to vote against the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them why they opposed the amendment. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL DURING THE RECENT BUDGET DEBATE IN THE HOUSE, WHY WERE THERE NO TRANSPARENT ROLL CALL VOTES ON FIVE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO REDUCE TAXES IN MASSACHUSETTS? - The ongoing feud between House Republican Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading) and Rep. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica) intensified during the House budget debate last week. Back in January, Jones defeated Lombardo for the post of minority leader. Jones garnered 19 votes to Lombardo’s five votes. And since then, things have only gotten worse between the two. Lombardo says that during last week’s budget debate, Jones worked with the Democrats to block roll call votes on several tax cuts proposed by Lombardo. Jones denies that charge. Lombardo requested that the House hold roll call votes on five of his proposed budget amendments – all of which would reduce taxes in the Bay State. The five tax cuts were reducing the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 5 percent; reducing the income tax from 5 percent to 4.5 percent; eliminating the income tax on tips; eliminating the income tax on overtime; and removing the marriage penalty for the Millionaire’s Tax. Lombardo knew that he didn’t have sufficient votes to pass the amendments but wanted to have roll calls on them in order to promote transparency and to put the votes of the Democrats on record as being against tax reductions. House rules require that in order to force a roll call vote, 16 members must request that a roll call be held. It works like this: The speaker announces that “Rep. Lombardo has requested a roll call vote. Those joining him will rise and be counted.” If at least 16 members stand up, a roll call is held. This has been done many times by the Republicans over the years. The GOP tries to force a roll call vote to get Democrats on the record on measures the Republicans believe are popular but are likely to get shot down by the Legislature's Democratic supermajority. Most times they are successful and get 16 or more members to stand up. But not this time. The current 158-member House (two seats are vacant) has 132 Democrats, 25 Republicans and one unenrolled member. Neither the unenrolled member nor any of the Democrats stood to request a roll call vote on Lombardo’s amendments. Lombardo never received the 16 standing votes necessary to require the roll call votes. Instead, the amendments were defeated on unrecorded voice votes which don’t reveal how individual representatives voted. Lombardo says that in addition to himself, only six other representatives, all Republicans, stood to request a roll call vote on all five amendments. They are Reps. Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick); John Gaskey (R-Carver); Joseph McKenna (R-Sutton); Kelly Pease (R-Westfield); Kenneth Sweezey (R-Hanson); and Justin Thurber (R-Somerset). There was some talk that members did not know what day or time Lombardo’s amendments would be considered. However, Beacon Hill Roll Call’s research shows that House rules provide that amendments reducing or increasing taxes must be considered at the beginning of the debate on the budget. The rule was followed, and debate on Lombardo’s amendments began at around 11:35 a.m., on Monday, April 28, the first day of budget debate, shortly after opening remarks about the budget. This timeline means that all members should have been aware Lombardo’s amendments would be considered around that time – thus allowing members to make plans to be in the chamber around that time and to stand up to request roll call votes if they chose to. Lombardo told Beacon Hill Roll Call, “Manager of the Republican Caucus, Brad Jones directed his lieutenants to remove themselves and caucus members from the chamber or refuse to stand in support of roll call votes on critical tax relief measures. Jones conspired with the Democrats, something I personally witnessed, to protect them from having to be recorded on these important roll calls. In exchange for his service to the majority party, Jones received $250,000 in earmarks [in the pending state budget for projects in his district].” Lombardo continued, “For 30 years, Brad Jones has sabotaged the Republican Party, its candidates and, most importantly, the taxpayers of Massachusetts. When the head of the House GOP conspires with Democrats to block roll calls on tax cuts, it is nothing short of a betrayal of the taxpayers. Brad Jones has been institutionalized. His loyalty is to the uni-party on Beacon Hill and not to taxpayers who so desperately need a strong opposition voice in the Statehouse.” Lombardo elaborated to Beacon Hill Roll Call about the $250,000 in earmarks that he said Jones received. He pointed to an amendment which included earmarks for many members’ districts including $250,000 for North Reading, Reading, Middleton and Lynnfield -- all of which are in Jones’ district. Lombardo said that the category in which the $250,000 was listed was Labor and Economic Development but noted that none of Jones’ earmarks fit that category. Lombardo contends that the $250.000 was inappropriately rushed into that category at the last minute to reward Jones for preventing roll calls on the tax reduction amendments. “How could that one-off recategorization happen?” asked Lombardo. “Wouldn’t it require cooperation from Ways and Means to do this unique maneuver? Would it benefit the Republican leader, who was under scrutiny for his collaboration with the Democrats, to not have earmarks awarded along the way and push it to the end in hopes of less attention. It’s not rocket science to figure out what happened.” Jones’ supporters say the charge that Jones received $250,000 in earmarks in exchange for preventing roll calls on Lombardo’s amendments is unfounded. They note that for years, including this year, many representatives have gotten money, earmarked for their districts, in the state budget. Beacon Hill Roll Call set out to find out if any of the other GOP members, besides Reps. Boldyga, Gaskey, McKenna, Pease, Sweezey and Thurber, were in the House chamber during the standing votes on requiring a roll call on Lombardo’s amendments. Beacon Hill Roll Call e-mailed each of these remaining 17 Republicans twice asking them if they were in fact in the chamber during those standing votes; if not, why not; if they were in the chamber, did they stand up to request a roll call vote; and if not, why didn’t they do so? Rep. Dave DeCoste (R-Norwell) was one of only two members who responded. Decoste’s first response to Beacon Hill Roll Call on May 2 was that he didn’t remember if he was in the chamber for those standing votes. Two days later, on May 4th, he revised his response and said that “having read the articles since our last correspondence, I was there for those particular votes.” In both responses he said that he has always stood to request a roll call every time it was requested by any member since he first took office in 2019. The other representative who responded was Rep. Paul Frost (R-Auburn), who serves as part of Jones’ leadership team. He told Beacon Hill Roll Call, “No one directed anyone to not stand or not be in the chamber. Rep. Lombardo has failed to attend caucus meetings to discuss his initiatives, and many members have grown tired of his antics in attacking fellow Republican caucus members on social media and in the media. He has shown he is not interested in helping the GOP House Caucus and needs to look in the mirror when caucus members may not be inclined to back him. I would also point out there were roll call requests we did not get because Rep. Lombardo wasn’t in the chamber himself.” Lombardo denied that he wasn’t in the chamber to request roll call votes on any of Jones’ amendments. He said, “Even after Jones coordinated to ensure no roll calls [on my amendments], I stood for his request for roll calls immediately after.” Lombardo continued in response to Frost’s criticism. “I would note that I e-mailed the entire [Republican] caucus Sunday night telling them of my amendments and request for roll calls,” Lombardo said. “I wasn’t at [the Republican caucus] as I was hosting three Billerica High School State Championship teams. Paul Frost is paid handsomely to blindly defend Republican Manager Jones. Both are truly institutionalized and work for the uni-party. I wish him luck as he goes back to his district and explains his vote in favor of a $5 million legal defense fund for illegal immigrants.” There were 15 GOP members who did not respond to Beacon Hill Roll Call. They are Reps. Donald Berthiaume (R- Spencer); Michael Chaisson (R-Foxboro); Kimberly Ferguson (R-Holden); Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk); Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury); John Marsi (R-Dudley); David Muradian (R-Grafton); Norman Orrall (R-Lakeville); Todd Smola (R-Warren); Michael Soter (R-Bellingham); Alyson Sullivan-Almeida (R-Abington); Marcus Vaughn (R-Wrentham); David Vieira (R-Falmouth); Donald Wong (R-Saugus); and Steven Xiarhos (R-Barnstable). Jones himself did not respond to Beacon Hill Roll Call’s request to comment on the entire situation. However, he spoke to reporters following the incident. “I’m not going to go waste my time working with people who just want to kick me,” said Jones. “It’s kind of human nature. It’s not Republican, not Democrat … it’s just human nature. [Rep. Lombardo] is obviously still hurting over the fact that he got smoked [in the election for minority leader].” Jones noted that in January he appointed Lombardo and Lombardo supporter Rep. Nick Boldyga to the Revenue Committee because he knew taxes were an “important issue to them, as evidenced by the amendments that they filed.” “They’ve never shown up to the Revenue Committee, as has been told to me by both my staff as well as others,” Jones said. “I think there’s also an element within the caucus that, I will say includes me, that you’ve seen some of the tweets and X comments both during the leadership fight and since then that, I think, frankly, people are tired of and don’t think it’s particularly productive and constructive.” Lombardo responded, “Jones is upset that he has been exposed as an institutionalized member who serves the Beacon Hill machine and not the taxpayers and he’ll say anything to distract from that truth being understood by the pubBHRC| SEE PAGE 16 ׉ 7cassandra://teLf6EFoX1bZH4ZPPfmE4ZhJXgdweWki-LLk3G9hoq0.M`h/m)AOjmh/m)AOjl rבCטUru׉׉ 7cassandra://4KSwT7KAIc_rZNWizFQZnr4zWEeRhJqpGE52ENUDJkQV`'p׉ 7cassandra://_ztVJ3brNs6rmmQW7VlJ6OakyNpvU1LlqzRngGTB-9Eͳ`׉ 7cassandra://aOKbk39oJ_PlAyPOsleuYcpsh5cWzl-e7fzXBNd88DU8n`h/m")AOjטUUru׉׉ 7cassandra://fgyxvOL3VbeNl41xrHTnk5M66mzerMh8LKDXgLtaXGs`'p׉ 7cassandra://Do2vE9-fJyxHcRr9qB9Bxc4FLa_y-FIlEIIYWxKwmGAͼS`׉ 7cassandra://LOxz7lJIICoOJADvMRM7h2Jo8yppNtT3GH8Gb2Iph2Y5`h/m")AOjנh/m")AOj̹{9ׁH%http://www.JandSlandscape-masonry.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E iPage 14 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 Fourth Annual IACC/Nick Bombino American Cancer Society Memorial Bocce Fundraiser T he 4th Annual IACC/Nick Bombino American Cancer Society Memorial Bocce Fundraiser — honoring the life of Nick Bombino — took place on Saturday, May 17, at the Italian American Citizen's Club. The weather held out and it was a beautiful day to raise money for a good cause, with all proceeds going directly for cancer research. Nick bravely battled cancer, and every year his family honor his legacy the best way they know how: together, in community, with all proceeds going straight to the American Cancer Society. Mayor Gary Christenson, City Controller Charles Ranaghan, Malden Traffic Coordinator Kathy Hannon, State Representative Steve Ultrino, former Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis, Recreation Director Joe Levine, Public Works Commission Chair Diego Barricelli, and hundreds of their best friends made this one of the most successful fundraisers to date. J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping Upcoming 2nd Annual Haitian Culture Night: Wed., May 28 P lease join us on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. for our 2nd Annual Haitian Culture Night filled with Haitian art, poetry, music, language and food. Our featured guests include Haitian artist Professor Joel Renfort. Joel Renfort and his wife, artist, Martine Renfort, have their art featured in the Malden Public Library during May. Our other featured guest will be Erga Pierette, 1st Vice President NAACP Mystic Valley Area Branch and Dean of Community, Culture and Equity, Malden Catholic, and our emcee for the night. On Haitian Culture Night we will have some samples of popular Haitian foods, and you can start learning Haitian Creole with one of our language apps. Also, you can check out some books in Haitian Creole for kids and adults and learn a little bit about Haiti and the country’s interesting historical connection to Malden, Massachusetts. This event is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Malden Public Library. Thank you, Friends! Everyone is welcome to join us at this all-ages event. We look forward to seeing you there! ׉ 7cassandra://aOKbk39oJ_PlAyPOsleuYcpsh5cWzl-e7fzXBNd88DU8n`h/m)AOjn׉ETHE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 Page 15 Meet the 2025 Malden High School Boys Lacrosse Team By Steve Freker T enth-year Head Coach Jonathan Copithorne and team captains Ben Rosa and Dante Bell are leading the Malden High School Varsity Boys Lacrosse Team this spring. Malden is off to a 2-4 start overall, 2-2 in the Greater Boston League (GBL), including an exciting, triple overtime win over Lynn on the road in its season opener, 8-7. Recently, Malden fell to GBL opponents Medford and Somerville and knocked off Revere on the road. Other games included a home rematch with Lynn at Macdonald Stadium on Thursday, April 24, then home against Gloucester (Pine Banks) on Monday, April 28, and home against Northeast Regional Vocational on Thursday, May 1. Games have 4:00 p.m. starts. The two captains this season are senior goaltender Ben Rosa and junior defenseman Dante Bell. Rosa is a four-year varsity man and school record holder for single-season and career saves. Last season, he registered over 400 saves and now has over 1,500 for his career. With 37 saves in the season opening win over Lynn, Rosa also Senior Jonathan Barrientos Diaz LACROSSE CAPTAINS: Captains junior Dante Bell and senior Ben Rosa are leading Malden High Varsity Boys Lacrosse this season. (Courtesy/Malden High Athletics Photos) now holds the single-game save record. In a loss to Medford on April 23, Rosa recorded 34 saves for the Golden Tornado team. “Ben [Rosa] is just a rock for us, he brings his A-Game every day,” Coach Copithorne told The Advocate. “Lacrosse is a tough game in that every day there are bangs, bumps and bruises, but Ben just takes all the nicks and keeps going, no complaints. We all appreciate his contributions.” Bell is a third-year varsity player and also a valued contributor who has played on both ends of the field for Malden. “Dante [Bell] gives us max effort every time he puts on the uniform,” Coach Copithorne said. “He has proven to Senior Jonathan Scioletti Senior Cade Sylva Senior Ben Rosa Jayden Fernezan MALDEN HIGH 2025 BOYS LACROSSE TEAM: The team includes (not in order) Jonathan Scioletti, Brendan Skerry, Justin Hurley, “Ace” Showstead, Kenny Diaz Osorio, Thomas Cook, Chance Path, Caden Toomey, Miguel Vieria, Evin Vega, Dante Bell, Abner Rodrigues, Mekhi Cook, Jonathan Barrientos Diaz and Ben Rosa. (Courtesy/Malden High Athletics Photos) be versatile and will perform at any role we ask of him.” “Jonathan Barrientos Diaz, Cade Sylva and Jonathan Scioletti are our other three seniors who provide leadership this season. Their commitment is a big part of our team as we work toward success,” Coach Copithorne said. Members of the 2025 Malden High Varsity Boys Lacrosse Team this year include attackmen Jonathan Scioletti, Brendan Skerry, Justin Hurley, “Ace” Showstead and Kenny Diaz Osorio; midfielders Thomas Cook, Chance Path, Caden Toomey, Miguel Vieria and Evin Vega; defensemen Dante Bell, Abner Rodrigues, Mekhi Cook and Jonathan Barrientos Diaz, and goaltender Ben Rosa. Malden High School Softball Team says Farewell on Senior Night By Victoria Domiciano —Senior Kimora Ha-Trinh has Malden High School Blue and Gold T he Malden High Softball Team celebrated Senior Night on May 1, a day full of emotions, excitement and memories. The team came together to honor their senior players for everything that they have given to the sport and to the team over the years. Together, the team enjoyed a day of celebrating their hard work, teamwork and friendships that have made members who they are today. Even though Senior Night marks the end of their high school careers, the seniors have bright futures ahead: committed to Suffolk University Honors College, where she will be a double major in psychology and finance on the premed track with a minor in Youth and Community Studies. Soon, she plans to kickstart her work as an emergency medical technician. —Averi Bell plans to take a gap year to work in the photography and film industry. —Ashlyn Cullity plans to attend Elms College, where she will be majoring in psychology and playing field hockey. — Zi Jefferson plans to take a gap year to build her art portfolio for a tattoo apprenticeship. After that year is up, Jefferson will be taking college classes for Malden High School Softball Seniors in their final home game, pictured from left to right: Averi Bell, Zi Jefferson, Ashlyn Cullity and Kimora Ha-Trinh. (Courtesy/MHS Blue and Gold/Victoria Domiciano Photo) business. The softball team has demonstrated their support and strong community with one another through their dependency on one another due to the trust embedded in the team’s values. “Being a part of the softball team means community and a guaranteed shoulder to cry on, or even just to rest on,” expressed Ha-Trinh. “These girls are so welcoming and more than easy to talk to. The comfort felt is through the roof.” Similarly, Bell added, “The thing I will miss the most about being part of this team was knowing that they would still be there to support me no matter what.” For underclassmen, the seniors have left a lasting impression, not just with their athletic skills but also their kindness and leadership. Freshman Harmonie SOFTBOL| SEE PAGE 20 ׉ 7cassandra://LOxz7lJIICoOJADvMRM7h2Jo8yppNtT3GH8Gb2Iph2Y5`h/m)AOjoh/m)AOjn rבCטUru׉׉ 7cassandra://ijFPwGHOL47rVZchLNE4oDXLpIubPQlz2CzY9HYz9PQ`'p׉ 7cassandra://lXtE4JRtM5YhpL8bxg0WGX892LJVff6-W2GyuIFG7zoͨ`׉ 7cassandra://mz18a3wqCBxJ4f5UPOMkMZQx8lfy0KBz2DXTv75la_o-Y`h/m")AOjטUUru׉׉ 7cassandra://iUAQQwc8buQa-zZg79JD5RV7f7I9yq9_oE1_O2asdbU<`'p׉ 7cassandra://FPl0pJm-WNXtLrPSMGC20McAI6Cs-t-tj3yyOmD9n1kʹ`׉ 7cassandra://xTzx8WU4NeQNBITKK6JEUWPwyP4affrN3Cj3Ra6oCJE/`h/m#)AOjנh/m#)AOj̥ 9ׁHhttp://www.thewarrengroup.comׁ ׁ Јנh/m#)AOj̤9ׁH"mailto:purchasing@cityofmalden.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉E*Page 16 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 BHRC | FROM PAGE 13 lic. Jones failed to act like the Republican leader by holding the Democrats accountable for roll calls on important tax policy, received immediate backlash from the public, and is desperately trying to justify his conspiring with the Democrats.” HIRING FREEZE - Gov. Maura Healey announced that she will be implementing a hiring freeze across the Executive Branch, beginning May 27, in response to “widespread economic uncertainty at the national level and a tightening state budget outlook for fiscal year 2026.” The Healey Administration said that the hiring freeze will apply to all Executive Branch agencies and departments and there will be no formal waiver process. However, consistent with common practice during past hiring freezes, exemptions will be made for certain positions, including public safety officers and direct care providers. “The people of Massachusetts expect us to protect and maximize their tax dollars and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” said Gov. Healey. “Tariffs and funding cuts from Washington are causing so much economic damage and instability. We are taking this step to prepare for more uncertain economic times, protect taxpayer dollars and move our state forward while LEGAL NOTICE CITY OF MALDEN INVITATION FOR BID The City of Malden invites sealed bids in accordance with M.G.L. c.30 sec 39 M from Vendors for: MISCELLANEOUS LANDSCAPING AND REALATED SERVICES Email purchasing@cityofmalden.org, include Company Name, Address, Contact Name, Email Address and Phone Number, after: 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 28, 2025, for Contract Documents. Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m., Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the Office of the Controller, 215 Pleasant Street, 2nd Floor, Malden MA 02148. Following the deadline, all Bids received within the time specified will be publicly opened and read aloud. The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids. CITY OF MALDEN Office of the Controller May 23, 2025 REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS BUYER1 BUCHHOLZ, JOHN CARTER, PAUL GUNASEKARAN, HARUN HALL, CHARLES HONG, RICHARD HUANG, EDWARD INFANTE, JULIO MENTZER, TYLER OMALLEY, JILLIAN ROBINSON, CHRISTOPHER SAAD, MOHAMMAD SAVIR, NATHAN TAMANG, MIN B YOUM, DAVID D ZHANG, HONG BUYER2 ANGIULO, ISABELLA FANOK, MEGAN SURETTE, RACHEL STONEY, PATRICK TRAN, GIANG DESOUZA, THIAGO ROBINSON, KAELA BAI, YUE TAMANG, DOMA L YOUM, SUE H SELLER1 TWIN RT LEVINE, STUART J EILENBERG, MICHAEL SNYDERS, NICHOLAS SULLIVAN, MICHAEL J CHEN, RUI F HERZOG, JESSICA SIMEONE, STEPHAN J LUO, XUAN ZUNIGA, MAURICIO XI, QIZHENG KRASYUK, ZHANA FRONDUTO, SUSAN WALSH, DEBORAH M DUAN, XUCHEN VAFAI, YASAMAN BREWER, NICOLE EILENBERG, JENNA SULLIVAN, JUDITH A CHEN, CINDY SELLER2 GRAMOLINI, PETER ensuring funding will be available for the vital services people need.” “As we navigate the close of fiscal year 2025 and prepare for the start of the new fiscal year in July, the governor’s action to implement a hiring freeze across the executive branch will give us added flexibility in the budget to respond and react to unforeseen program needs and other deficiencies that may arise,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz. “Our uncertain economic future in fiscal year 2026 has been made less predictable by the threat of federal funding cuts and recent market upheaval. While we hope for the best, it is both prudent and responsible to be prepared and take control of what we can now.” The Republican State Committee responded and released a statement saying that In January 2024, Gov. Healey gave each of her 12 cabinet members a $15,000 pay hike, at the same time slashing hundreds of millions of dollars from elsewhere in the state budget. They noted that those cuts hit services for seniors, homeless shelters and local earmarks. "One year ago, Maura Healey used the winter holiday break to play Santa, dumping the news that she's rewarding the good little boys and girls of her administration with pay raises for their 'tireless' work ethic,” said MassGOP Executive Director John Milligan. “She hopes her tone deaf pay hikes for political friends go unnoticed when she can't make ends meet in her budget without more taxes, but the MassGOP won't let voters forget what she likes to do with their money when she has extra cash to play with." SWITCH SCHOOL BUSES FROM DIESEL TO ELECTRIC (S 2241) – The Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee held a hearing on a bill that would establish a grant program run by the Department of Energy Resources to help cities and towns offset the cost difference between buying zero-emission electric school buses and traditional diesel-powered ones. The grant program would prioritize support for communities in which the median household income is below the state’s median income or where the 5-year average rate of emergency department visits for childhood asthmas is greater than the state’s 5-year average rate. “Most of our school busses still run on diesel, which pollutes the air, contributes to climate change, and exposes children to harmful emissions every day, especially when buses idle outside schools,” said sponsor Sen. Cindy Creem (D-Newton). “While zero-emission buses are more expensive up front, this legislation helps close that gap so more communities can LEGAL NOTICE make the switch. It’s about giving every child access to safer, healthier transportation and making real progress toward cleaner air.” SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY AND HIV STATUS (H 776) – The Elder Affairs Committee held a hearing on a proposal that would amend current state law under which the federal Older Americans Act of 1965, signed by the late President Lyndon Johnson, offers social and nutrition services for seniors over 60 years old. Under current law, the state administers the Act using two definitions: “greatest economic need” and “greatest social need.” The bill would add sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status to the definition of "greatest social need." Seniors within these groups would be eligible for aid from the government for food, disease prevention, community-based services, elder rights programs and other forms of assistance. “Our seniors deserve a safe and affirming environment regardless of HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,” said sponsor Rep. Jack Lewis (D-Framingham). “[The bill] is a critical step to include those in critical at-risk populations to be eligible for aide ensuring that the quality of care and rights of LGBTQ+ individuals is preserved and protected. We cannot rest on our laurels. These inequalities need to be addressed to end discriminatory practices and policies.” AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE AIRS SEVEAL BILLS - The Committee on Agriculture held a hearing on several bills including: SAFETY OF FOOD AND FOOD ADDITIVES (H 113) – Would establish a 16-member Commission to Study the Safety of Food and Food Additives to investigate the health impacts of certain foods and food additives and propose policy and regulatory changes to enhance food safety in Massachusetts. The commission would include medical professionals, dietitians, food scientists, a pediatrician, consumer advocates and representatives from local farming. It would study additives such as high fructose corn syrup, seed oils, artificial coloring dyes, monosodium glutamate, artificial sweeteners, trans fats, sodium nitrite/nitrate in processed meats and bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging. The commission would be empowered to hold public hearings, conduct research, employ staff and issue subpoenas to gather evidence. Within two years of its first meeting, the commission would deliver a report to the governor, the Legislature and the public -- assessing health impacts, recommending legislative or regulatory actions and suggesting public education campaigns to promote healthier food choices. "The surge in obesity and chronic illnesses like diabetes, auto-immune disease and behavioral health disorders particularly among children, demands a thorough investigation,” said sponsor Rep. Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick). “Growing research and frankly common sense suggest that the root of the problem is related to the foods we eat. Additives like artificial dyes, seed oils and high fructose corn syrup as well as ultra processed foods are poisoning Americans of all ages, robbing them of living healthy and fulfilling lives. This commission will deliver evidence-based solutions to enhance food safety and educate families on healthier options. Massachusetts has an opportunity to lead the way in addressing our growing health crisis." OCTOPUS (H 127) – Would prohibit the aquaculture of octopus in tanks or other controlled environments for human consumption. Aquaculture is defined as “waters used primarily and directly in the commercial cultivation of aquatic organisms including finfish, mollusk or crustacean in a controlled environment.” The measure would prohibit businesses from selling, transporting or possessing commercially farmed octopus. Violators would be fined up to $1,000 per day and would also be required to pay restitution for any money they made from the octopus. "I filed this bill due to serious ethical concerns related to raising octopuses in confined spaces” said sponsor Rep. Chris Hendricks (D-New Bedford). “The neurological complexities of octopuses are not compatible with controlled aquaculture processes and practices. During this session, I hope the Legislature can take a serious look at this measure and move it across the finish line." RODEOS (H 139) – Would require that any rodeos comply with the rules, regulations, standards and practices established by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. “I filed this bill because Massachusetts has no standards for rodeos unlike many other states, a fact which came to light afBHRC| SEE PAGE 18 Copyrighted material previously published in Banker & Tradesman/The Commercial Record, a weekly trade newspaper. It is reprinted with permission from the publisher, The Warren Group. For a searchable database of real estate transactions and property information visit: www.thewarrengroup.com. ADDRESS 67 CLAREMONT ST 27 NEWMAN RD #27 50 PIERCE ST 145 GLENWOOD ST #303 170 PEARL ST #170 39 STEARNS ST #39 244 SALEM ST #15 20-30 DANIELS ST #203 20-30 DANIELS ST #411 42 BLOMERTH ST 20 PERKINS AVE ZHANG, HAO 20 CHESTNUT ST #201 3 BEACHVIEW TER 194 ADAMS ST 9 DEXTER ST #5 CITY MALDEN MALDEN MALDEN MALDEN MALDEN MALDEN MALDEN MALDEN MALDEN MALDEN MALDEN MALDEN MALDEN MALDEN MALDEN DATE 04.30.25 04.28.25 04.29.25 05.01.25 05.01.25 04.28.25 04.28.25 05.01.25 04.30.25 04.30.25 04.30.25 04.30.25 04.28.25 04.29.25 05.01.25 PRICE 769000 399000 920000 585000 580000 650000 352000 335000 400000 662500 535000 390000 775000 890000 405000 ׉ 7cassandra://mz18a3wqCBxJ4f5UPOMkMZQx8lfy0KBz2DXTv75la_o-Y`h/m)AOjp׉ETHE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 Page 17 OBITUARIES Claire M. (Johnson) Chalmers A lifelong resident of Malden, passed away in her home on Wednesday, May 14th, at the age of 95. She lived a long and fulfilling life marked by an unwavering devotion to her loved ones and a deep-seated compassion for those around her. Claire was born in 1929, the daughter of Arthur and Elin Johnson. She was raised and educated in Malden, graduating from Malden High School with the Class of 1947. Claire loved music and was the 2nd violinist in the Malden High School Orchestra. She then attended the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Boston. Upon her graduation, she went to work for the Hodgen and Company Investment Firm. In 1953, she married her sweetheart, Charles H. Chalmers, and the two settled down in Malden to raise their family. They shared nearly 40 years of marriage until Charles’ passing in 1992. She was a dedicated mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and treasured spending time with all of the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Claire’s greatest joy in life was her family. She was a devoted wife to her late husband, Charles, and together they built a home filled with warmth, laughter, and unconditional love. She was a cherished mother to her two sons, Charles Jr. (and wife, Lisa), and David (and wife, Amy), and beloved grandmother to her grandsons and great-grandchildren. Claire poured her heart and soul into nurturing her family, always offering a listening ear, a delicious meal and unwavering support. Family gatherings were her favorite occasions, and her home was always open to those she held dear. Beyond her family, Claire possessed a remarkable capacity for caring for and serving others. Her gentle nature and empathetic spirit made her a source of solace to many during difficult times. Her door was always open and no one ever left Claire’s home without something to eat and warm conversation. As a young mother, Claire was active in her community. She served as Den Leader for Cub Scout Pack 619 while her sons were active in Cub Scouting. Claire was always active in her church. She served as co-treasurer with her husband for many years. And made endless pounds of fudge for the annual Christmas fair. Claire’s gentle spirit and loving heart have left an indelible mark on this world. She will be forever remembered for her unwavering love for her family and her selfless dedication to caring for others. Claire is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Charles, and her brother, Arthur. Visitation was held at the Weir-MacCuish Golden Rule Funeral Home, on Monday, May 19th. A memorial service to celebrate Claire’s life was held at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Malden on Tuesday. Interment followed in Puritan Lawn Cemetery, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Claire's name to Good Shepherd United Methodist Church of Malden. William "Billy" Grifone Jr A lifelong resident of Malden, passed away suddenly on Saturday, May 17th, at the age pf 61. Billy was born in 1964, the son of William and Lucille Grifone. He was raised in Malden and graduated with the class of 1982. He went on to become a laborer, and was a member of Local 22. He enjoyed working with his hands, and liked walking around the neighborhood. His kindness and friendliness will be missed by all. He is survived by his mother Lucille "Lu" Grifone of Malden, his brothers Kenneth Grifone and wife June of Newport, NH, and John Lewis and wife Katie of Rehobeth, his aunts Adrrienne "Penny" Cole of Malden, and Sandy Grifone of Everett, his Godmother, Jean Grifone of Grantham, NH his close friend, John Duclos of Malden, as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 23rd, at 8 PM at the Weir MacCuish Golden Rule Funeral Home, 144 Salem St, Malden. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5 – 8 PM. Committal will be private. 529 PLANS AS AN ESTATE PLANNING VEHICLE and not be concerned about a Massachusetts gift tax. Therefore, a parent or grandparent can subsequently change his or her mind and take the money back. If that were to happen, then the monO ne of the advantages of a Section 529 plan is that to the extent a parent or grandparent funds it, the monies then held in the 529 plan are not included in the estate of the parent or grandparent. Furthermore, the parent or grandparent would still maintain control over the account itself if they are the named Custodian of the account. In fact, the parent or grandparent has the right to ask for a return of the funds contributed to the 529 plan. A parent or grandparent can gift up to $19,000 per year per person without reducing the maximum federal estate tax/ gift tax exemption amount (currently $13.9million for each taxpayer). Some parents or grandparents may be reluctant to make an irrevocable gift because they might feel they might need that money someday. A husband and wife can “split gift” and transfer $38,000 per year per individual. The $38,000 qualifies for the annual “tax free” per donee gift. Keep in mind Massachusetts does not have a gift tax. A taxpayer can gift as much as he or she wants to a child or grandchild ies taken back fall back into the “gross” estate of the parent or grandparent. In addition, any withdrawal not used for the beneficiary’s qualified education expenses subjects the “earnings” to income tax and a 10% penalty. One great feature of a 529 plan is that a parent or grandparent can “frontload” the contributions by gifting 5 years worth of the $19,000/donee/ year tax-free gift exclusion amount, or $95,000, into a 529 plan for one son or grandson. If both parents or grandparents join in on the gift, the amount that can be funded each year into a 529 plan for each son or grandson then jumps to $190,000. If the parent or grandparent dies prior to the end of the fiveyear period, the contributions to the 529 plan allocated to the years after death would be included in their “gross” estate. The power of a Section 529 plan cannot be overestimated. Even if the estate is nowhere near the federal exemption amount, one might still stand to save a lot of money in Massachusetts estate taxes. The filing threshold is now $2million for taxpayers dying in Massachusetts on or after January 1, 2023. If someone were to die having a “gross” estate of $1,999,000, having previously gifted away to children and/ or grandchildren to establish 529 plans $760,000 ($190,000 to each of 4 children and/or grandchildren), an estate tax return would not have to be filed because you do not have to add back these “non taxable” gifts to the “gross” estate to determine if you have met the $2million threshold for filing a Massachusetts estate tax return. Therefore, you would not even have to pay any estate tax on the $1,999,000 remaining in your estate. In fact, even taxable gifts (i.e. gifts over the $19,000 per donee tax free gifts) do not have to be added back to your gross estate upon your death to determine if your gross estate exceeds $2million. The $19,000 annual gift allowance is simply not a “taxable” gift. It is a “tax free” gift and for federal estate tax purposes and does not reduce your $13.9million federal estate tax exemption. Once a Massachusetts estate tax return is required to be filed, only the excess over $2million is actually subject to tax as a result of the $199,600 tax credit provided by the state. That number is the Massachusetts estate tax on the first $2million of taxable estate. Joseph D. Cataldo is an estate planning/elder law attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a master’s degree in taxation. ׉ 7cassandra://xTzx8WU4NeQNBITKK6JEUWPwyP4affrN3Cj3Ra6oCJE/`h/m)AOjqh/m)AOjp rבCטUru׉׉ 7cassandra://YFAJWIU-pRlihgmJjRm-CPbA4GDFiDuYvPCpXFC3Ru8a`'p׉ 7cassandra://Rl-ok0l1TM35tAYABVINpcAXKr1cVayyzSlI-rFR01gͱ`׉ 7cassandra://d5dQB_8Wwj1R1hfXz3BsCSBZjLV2pntyAa1NfH1cIsI-`h/m#)AOjטUUru׉׉ 7cassandra://4ujh15PiTZjwgWursVk0exoWdmpLhm9matRP6trtCpot`'p׉ 7cassandra://7dez96sHaNg4ALt4g1tHdDYPvroAN5QDx3fLWC_cQdwͶR`׉ 7cassandra://tEpZYVLa9YnK2QtBbpfGvI3JTZlwVPxGnNgzUBcR-1c3`h/m$)AOjנh/m$)AOj ց̤ 9ׁH!mailto:bob@beaconhillrollcall.comׁ ׁ Јנh/m$)AOj̴:9ׁHhttp://Tues.Maׁ ׁ Ј׉EPage 18 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 BHRC | FROM PAGE 16 ter the incident last fall when seven bulls escaped from a traveling exhibition in North Attleboro and crossed Route 1 into residential neighborhoods,” said sponsor Rep. Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleboro).“I like that North Attleboro is a venue for all types of entertainment. Variety is the spice of life, after all. We just need to make sure that standards are met for public safety as well as for animal welfare.” AGRICULTURAL EQUITY FOR MINORITIES (S 53) – Would create a special legislative commission to study and develop recommendations for supporting investments, policies and practices designed to “promote equity in agriculture for socially disadvantaged groups in the commonwealth that have been historically or systematically excluded or have had less access to resources and opportunities based on cultural, racial or ethnic prejudice.” These groups would include, at a minimum, African Americans, Cape Verdeans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, Caribbean Islanders, Native Americans and Alaskan natives. “Property ownership is a leading source of intergenerational wealth accumulation,” said sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “In the United States, white people have always had more acBHRC| SEE PAGE 19 Savvy Senior by Jim Miller Does Medicare Cover Vision Care and Eye Exams? Although original Medicare’s vision coverage is limited to medical issues, there are ways you can save on routine care. Here are several to check into. Medicare Advantage plans: Many of these plans, Dear Almost, Many soon-to-be retirees are a bit blurry with what Medicare does and doesn’t cover when it comes to vision care. The good news is that Medicare covers most medical issues like cataract surgery, treatment of eye diseases and medical emergencies. But unfortunately, routine care like eye exams and eyeglasses are usually the beneficiary’s responsibility. Here’s a breakdown of what is and isn’t covered. Eye exams and treatments: Medicare does not cover routine eye exams that test for eyeglasses or contact lenses, but they do cover yearly medical eye exams if you have diabetes or are at high risk for glaucoma. They will also pay for exams to test and treat medical eye diseases if you’re having vision problems that indicate a serious eye problem like macular degeneration, dry eye syndrome, glaucoma, eye infections or if you get something in your eye. Eye surgeries: Medicare will cover most eye surgeries that help repair the eye function, including cataract surgery to remove cataracts and insert standard intraocular lenses to replace your own. Medicare will not, however, pick up the extra cost if you choose a premium multifocal lens that restores full range of vision, thereby reducing your need for glasses after cataract surgery. The extra cost for a premium lens can run $1,500 to $4,000 per eye. Eye surgeries that are usually not covered by Medicare include refractive (LASIK) surgery and cosmetic eye surgery that are not considered medically necessary. Eyeglasses and contact lenses: Medicare will not pay for eyeglasses or contact lenses, with one exception: If you have had a conventional intraocular lens inserted during cataract surgery, Medicare will pay for eyeglasses or contact lenses following the operation. Ways to Save which are alternatives to original Medicare and sold through private insurance companies, cover routine eye exams and eyeglasses, but coverage is limited so be sure you understand the specifics. While I don’t recommend enrolling in an Advantage plan just to get vision coverage it is an option you should know about. To locate Advantage plans in your area that provide vision coverage, go to Medicare.gov/plan-compare or call 800-633-4227. Purchase vision insurance: If you get routine eye exams and purchase new eyeglasses annually, a vision insurance plan may be worth the costs. These policies typically range between $5 and $30 per month. Most plans will also have copays or deductibles you’ll be responsible for. Check veterans’ benefits: If you’re a veteran and qualify for VA health care benefits, you may be able to get some or all of your routine vision care through VA. Go to VA.gov/health-care/about-vahealth-benefits/vision-care to learn more. Find cheaper shopping options: Many retailers provide discounts – between 10 and 50 percent – on eye exams and eyeglasses if you belong to a membership group like AARP or AAA. You can also save by shopping at discount retailers like Costco Optical, Sam’s Club Optical or Target Optical, which are all recommended by Consumer Reports. Or consider buying your glasses online at retailers like ZenniOptical.com, EyeBuyDirect.com or GlassesUSA.com which offer big savings. To purchase glasses online, you’ll need a valid prescription from an eye doctor (no more than a year old), plus your pupillary distance number, which is the distance, measured in millimeters, between the centers of your pupils in each eye. Look for assistance: There are also health centers and local clinics that provide free or discounted vision exams and eyeglasses to those in need. To find them put a call into your local Lions Club (see Directory.LionsClubs.org) for referrals. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Dear Savvy Senior, What all does Medicare cover when it comes to vision care? I currently have good vision insurance through my employer but will lose it when I retire. Almost 65 - LEGAL NOTICE - City of Malden, Massachusetts INSPECTIONAL SERVICES 215 Pleasant Street, 3rd Floor Malden, Massachusetts 02148 (781) 397-7000 ext. 2030 MALDEN PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING The Malden Planning Board will hold a public hearing in the Herbert L. Jackson Council Chamber, Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 on the petition of Janick Company LLC (Permit Application # RES 070208-2025) seeking a special permit uunder Title 12.28.010.D of the Code of the City of Malden to allow residential conversion of preexisting nonconforming property in the Residence A zoning district, namely, to demolish the existing three-family dwelling and to construct a two-family dwelling, at the property known as and numbered, 27 Sheridan Street, Malden, MA and also known by City Assessor’s Parcel ID 040 177 721. Petition and plans are available for public review in the Inspectional Services Department, Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Room 330, Malden, MA and under Permit Application # RES-070208-2025 at https://maldenmaenergovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/SelfService#/home By: Diane M. Chuha Clerk May 23, 30, 2025 - LEGAL NOTICE - City of Malden, Massachusetts INSPECTIONAL SERVICES 215 Pleasant Street, 3rd Floor Malden, Massachusetts 02148 (781) 397-7000 ext. 2030 MALDEN PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING The Malden Planning Board will hold a public hearing in the Herbert L. Jackson Council Chamber, Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 on the petition of Gabriela Mello Muniz/Embrace Pathways, on behalf of Aphli LLC (Permit Application # COO-071581-2025) seeking a special permit under Title 12.12.030 of the Code of the City of Malden, to allow medical center use of property in the Central Business zoning district, namely, a mental health clinic, at the property known as and numbered, 389 Main Street, Malden, MA, Suites 301, 302, 303 and 304 and also known by City Assessor’s Parcel ID numbers 075 270 202 301, 075 270 202 302, 075 270 202 303 and 075 270 202 304. Petition and plans are available for public review in the Inspectional Services Department, Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Room 330, Malden, MA and under Permit Application # COO-071581-2025 at https://maldenma-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/SelfService#/home By: Diane M. Chuha Clerk May 23, 30, 2025 ׉ 7cassandra://d5dQB_8Wwj1R1hfXz3BsCSBZjLV2pntyAa1NfH1cIsI-`h/m)AOjr׉EETHE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 Page 19 BHRC | FROM PAGE 18 cess to land ownership than Black, Indigenous and People of Color. While we know these populations are significantly underrepresented among farm landowners, we do not have reliable data on who is receiving state grants and other state funding for agriculture.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “It was great to welcome Suni Williams to the Statehouse and back home to Massachusetts. Her resilience and dedication to service serves as an incredible model for young people across the state, reminding them that their potential is as limitless as outer space. We hope that some of the students who joined us today will be inspired to pursue careers in STEM and truly reach for the stars.” ---Gov. Healey hosting a meet and greet with American Astronaut and Needham native Suni Williams and local students at the Statehouse. Williams is the first woman to fly on a flight test of an orbital spacecraft during the 2024 Boeing Crew Flight Test and had her stay extended for nine months by technical problems aboard the ISS. “We are here to make our voices heard and we are asking our legislators to listen and to act, to protect and to strengthen the programs which keep older adults safe, nourished and at home. And to continue to invest in our nonprofit system of care that has delivered value to the commonwealth for decades and so that it can continue to do so for generations to come.” ---Betsey Crimmins, Mass Aging Access Executive Director speaking at the Older Adult Lobby Day at the Statehouse along with some 600 older adults and their supporters. “Every statewide election, thousands of voters show up to vote on Election Day but encounter preventable barriers to voting. The Voting Access Campaign seeks to remove those known barriers by advocating for important voting reforms like Same Day Registration. Let's ensure that every eligible voter who seeks to cast a ballot on Election Day can cast one that counts and that we make sure the door to our democracy is fully opened to all eligible voters in Massachusetts.” ---Geoff Foster, executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts at a press conference announcing the group’s 2025 legislative campaign to strengthen voting access for all Bay Staters. “Investing in our youth and young adults is an essential part of our state’s strategy to develop pathways for our future talent and workforce. YouthWorks provides an invaluable chance for young people to discover why Massachusetts is an exceptional place to live and work.” ---Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones announcing some $22 million in funding grants to hire 6,540 youth in summer and year-round employment through the state’s YouthWorks program for the 2025-2026 program year. The program provides teens and young adults with hands-on work experience and soft-skill development, and places them in jobs in industries such as education, health care, information technology, camp counselors, arts and communications. HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length Water and Sewer Rates FY26 Legal Notice City of Malden Public Hearing Public Works Commission There will be a Public Hearing conducted by the Public Works Commission on Tuesday, June 10th, 2025 at 3:30 pm at Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Conference Room #108, Malden, MA., regarding FY26 Water and Sewer Rates. Karen M. Bourque, Clerk Public Works Commission May 23, 30, 2025 of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible latenight sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of May 12-16, the House met for a total of one hour and 56 minutes while the Senate met for a total of one hour and two minutes. Mon. May 12 House11:00 a.m. to11:54 a.m. Senate 11:15 a.m. to11:24 a.m. Tues.May 13 No House session. No Senate session. Wed. May 14 No House session. No Senate session. Thurs. May 15 House11:03 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. Senate 11:15 a.m. to 12:08 p.m. Fri. May 16 No House session. No Senate session. Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019. FOR RENT - EVERETT 1 & 2 Bedroom Apts. All New - Off-Street Parking - Central AC - Gas Heat - Hardwood Floors. Going Fast! Call: (617) 839-8954 & leave message ~ APARTMENT FOR RENT ~ SAUGUS - 3 small rooms, 400 Sq. feet, first floor perfect for 1 handicapped person, ramp, very large roll-in shower, washing machine and electric dryer. Off-street parking. Hoyer lift and hospital bed. $2,400 Mo. includes heat and hot water. References and CORI check. (781) 727-5870 Your Hometown News Delivered! EVERETT ADVOCATE MALDEN ADVOCATE REVERE ADVOCATE SAUGUS ADVOCATE One year subscription to The Advocate of your choice: $200 per paper in-town per year or $225 per paper out-of-town per year. Name_________________________________________ Address_______________________________________ City_______________ State_______ Zip ____________ CC# _______________________________ Exp. _____ Sec. code____ Advocate (City):___________________ Clip & Mail Coupon with Credit Card, Check or Money Order to: Advocate Newspapers Inc. PO Box 490407, Everett, MA 02149 ׉ 7cassandra://tEpZYVLa9YnK2QtBbpfGvI3JTZlwVPxGnNgzUBcR-1c3`h/m)AOjsh/m)AOjr rבCטUru׉׉ 7cassandra://KGnKhUHP5vW3xfjLL8dUzFL8awVOgXErRflUt-b8yVw;`'p׉ 7cassandra://U1UPnRvpm44Qh7GoMHaLbOpYDvJRc8MQeKjKZkRQy10Ϳ`׉ 7cassandra://Cc_TgO5o2JePGpzicPbKrSHC1eUOqm8p4fW3BRfrqBQ6D`h/m$)AOjטUUru׉׉ 7cassandra://ao1gTs2MqK1ABz6AR_g4jbB8QkARKoBH_H0UTiC8llg`'p׉ 7cassandra://2KX_D5OZuSCAijqeBog2Wit5lHg0FdiPee-jnPgDMlo`׉ 7cassandra://Mm6MzFEo4CvSHq-iBXCCthJu7tIFhOgjZrvvve7eZXs>`h/m%)AOjנh/m%)AOjJ9ׁHmailto:Info@advocatenews.netׁ ׁ Јנh/m%)AOj ;9ׁHhttp://www.advocatenews.netׁ ׁ Јנh/m%)AOjz[9ׁH!http://www.americanexteriorma.comׁ ׁ Јנh/m%)AOjG?9ׁHhttp://CANDBLANDSCAPINGINC.COMׁ ׁ Ј׉EPage 20 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 SOFTBOL | FROM PAGE 15 Licensed & Insured Free Estimates 1. May 23 is World Turtle Day; are tortoises and turtles the same? 2. What 3-term NYC mayor worked at Ellis Island and spoke Croatian, Italian and Yiddish? 3. On May 24, 1856, the first B&O Railroad line opened with the first trip of a locomotive named what (same name as a circus character’s name)? 4. What animal is Foghorn Leghorn, a croupier at Yosemite Sam’s casino in “Looney Tunes: Back in Action”? 5. How many popes have there been: 142, 267 or 290? 6. May 25 is National Tap Dance Day; what star with a stage name danced with Shirley Temple in “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm”? 7. What word that originated in the game of pool means to make a mistake? 8. On May 26, 1967, what debuted with the song “With a Little Help from My Friends”? 9. What does the old-fashioned word scripturient mean? 10. How are air, French and peck similar? 11. What national park’s name includes a man’s name that is also in a tree’s name? 12. Whose first of many car models was the Quadricycle, which had four bicycle wheels? 13. What continent did not have rabbits until they were brought there in in the 18th century? 14. On May 27, 1703, what tsar was born who founded a city and created a “beard tax” for anyone who would not shave? 15. About how many hours does it take for a chicken to make an egg: 12, 18 or 25? 16. In the version of Scrabble for what language is there a tile that has two Ls? 17. On May 28, 1937, what opened after FDR telegraphed and “every fire siren in San Francisco and Marin was sounded, every church bell rang, ships sounded their whistles, and every fog horn blew”? 18. The Yukon and Mackenzie Rivers flow into what ocean? 19. What First Lady known by a nickname said, “Where flowers bloom so does hope”? 20. On May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were first ever to surmount what? ANSWERS ~ School Bus Drivers Wanted ~ 7D Licensed School Bus Drivers Malden Trans is looking for reliable drivers for the new school year. We provide ongoing training and support for licensing requirements. Applicant preferably lives local (Malden, Everett, Revere). Part-time positions available and based on AM & PM school hours....15-30 hours per week. Good driver history from Registry a MUST! If interested, please call David @ 781-322-9401. CDL SCHOOL BUS DRIVER WANTED Compensation: $28/hour School bus transportation company seeking active CDL drivers who live LOCALLY (Malden, Everett, Chelsea and immediate surrounding communities). - Applicant MUST have BOTH S and P endorsements as well as Massachusetts school bus certificate. Good driver history from Registry a MUST! - Part-time hours, BUT GUARANTEED 20-35 HOURS PER WEEK depending on experience. Contact David @ 781-322-9401. Carpentry * Kitchen & Bath * Roofs * Painting Decks * Siding * Carrijohomeimprovement.com Call 781-710-8918 * Saugus, MA General Contractor * Interior & Exterior Discount Services - Raccoons - Squirrel Removal 781-269-0914 Ortiz, new to Malden this year, said, “The seniors have helped me throughout this season by introducing me to things since I’m new to Malden.” Every practice and game, no matter the score, is filled with passion and the joy of playing together. “I love when we have games because I feel like we are able to focus more on having fun than focusing on the score,” sophomore Abigail Alexandre said. The best part of the season is not the wins, but the love for the game and the memories they create along the way. “They encouraged us, listened when we needed support, and made sure everyone felt seen and heard,” sophomore Zayra Garcia expressed. The supportive environment that the coaches and seniors have created has helped the team trust each other and feel comfortable. The support the players receive extends from teammates to their families and coaches. Ha-Trinh gave a special shoutout to her mother, Gina Tembreza, for always motivating her. “She has so much pride and support for me just playing on the team, giving me motivational speeches and debrief sessions after games. It truly gives me motivation to push for improvement,” said HaTrinh. She also recognized coaches Rebecca Krigman and Ashley Laramie for helping her become more confident as both a player and a leader. “Over the years, they’ve developed not just as athletes, but as people. They’ve matured into confident, disciplined, and resilient leaders who understand the value of hard work, teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship,” Malden Head Coach Rebecca Krigman said. 1. A tortoise is a type of turtle that dwells on land. 2. Fiorella LaGuardia 3. Tom Thumb 4. Rooster 5. 267 6. Bill “Bojangles” Robinson 7. Miscue 8. The album “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band” 9. “having a strong urge to write” 10. They are types of kiss. 11. Joshua Tree National Park 12. Henry Ford 13. Australia 14. Peter the Great (founded Saint Petersburg) 15. 25 16. Spanish 17. Golden Gate Bridge 18. Arctic 19. Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson 20. Mount Everest ׉ 7cassandra://Cc_TgO5o2JePGpzicPbKrSHC1eUOqm8p4fW3BRfrqBQ6D`h/m)AOjt׉ETHE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 Page 21 C B& Landscaping, Inc. 781-233-0348 * Landscaping Maintenance * Mulch * Lawn Mowing & Dethatching * Spring & Fall Clean-ups * Owner-Operated FREE ESTIMATES * CANDBLANDSCAPINGINC.COM American Exterior and Window Corporation Contact us for all of your home improvement projects and necessities. Call Jeff or Bob Toll Free: 1-888-744-1756 617-699-1782 / www.americanexteriorma.com Windows, Siding, Roofing, Carpentry & More! All estimates, consultations or inspections completed by MA licensed supervisors. *Over 50 years experience. *Better Business Bureau Membership. Insured and Registered Complete Financing Available. No Money Down. We follow Social Distancing Guidelines! FIRE • SOOT • WATER Homeowner’s Insurance Loss Specialists FREE CONSULTATION 1-877-SAL-SOOT Sal Barresi, Jr. - Your fi rst call 617-212-9050 J.F & Son Contracting Snow Plowing No Job too small! Free Estimates! Commercial & Residential 781-656-2078 - Property management & maintenance Shoveling & removal Landscaping, Electrical, Plumbing, Painting, Roofing, Carpentry, Framing, Decks, Fencing, Masonry, Demolition, Gut-outs, Junk Removal & Dispersal, Clean Ups: Yards, Garages, Attics & Basements. Truck for Hire, Bobcat Services. 617-387-2200 advertise on the web at www.advocatenews.net For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net Advocate Call now! 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Office: (781) 233-2244 Classifieds ׉ 7cassandra://Mm6MzFEo4CvSHq-iBXCCthJu7tIFhOgjZrvvve7eZXs>`h/m)AOjuh/m)AOjt rבCטUru׉׉ 7cassandra://DYIAuB6xeHmbW7u_ft1y3hJlEKPPFfEx5dnxhoUPkbYv\`'p׉ 7cassandra://BeDfq3U2y0r72HnNjkcgYRALdoep_Ob91bgzjQnm1Ckͱ`׉ 7cassandra://q-MTem9sVVuk9zjMuDf9H4-AniuLEx9hR3Ag-TQJnFQ6`h/m%)AOjטUUru׉׉ 7cassandra://_r2_BQZKaIzknV33Aoo8By4-Se6LuCxg4vQMd44ChVcy`'p׉ 7cassandra://x5IXfEErIoEPrig8qp7PsPNhWbqLP95-H_h4JpeL-Kg͚`׉ 7cassandra://tOLVCqx0lcMS7BO_9IiwDHjfLeVlddE3k5xMz7G41YU0`h/m&)AOjנh/m&)AOjȁd̷̘9ׁHmailto:Info@advocatenews.netׁ ׁ Јנh/m&)AOjǁ7̉9ׁHhttp://advocatenews.netׁ ׁ Ј׉EPage 22 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 UNDER AGREEMENT IN JUST 11 DAYS! NOW’S THE PERFECT TIME TO SELL! CALL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION. Prime Commercial Rentals in Saugus Boost Your Business in Saugus! 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Call now at 617877-4553 or email us infowithmango@gmail.com and donisit: www.mangorealtyteam.com Your Trusted Partners in Real Estate Mango Realty Inc. – Local Experts. Real Results Buying, selling, or investing? Our dedicated agents offer personalized service, expert guidance, and proven results. At Mango Realty, we treat your goals like our own. Your community. Your team. Your Mango Realty. Call today to connect with your local agent and take the next step with confidence! 345 Central, Saugus MA Just $1,500/Month! Versatile 900 sq. ft. office/retail space in a high-visibility Saugus Center location! Includes 550 sq. ft. street-level storefront and 350 sq. ft. finished basement, ideal for professionals or small businesses such as law firms, accountants, salons, or fitness studios. Affordable lease terms: First month, security deposit, and one-month broker fee. Tenant pays electric. Owner covers water, sewer, taxes, and exterior maintenance. Call Peter at 781-820-5690 to schedule your showing today! $1,200/month 420 Lincoln Avenue, Saugus MA Cliftondale Square – Office Space for Rent. Attractive 2ndfloor office with 4 spacious rooms, private bathroom, and on/off-street parking. Perfect for professionals—lawyers, accountants, doctors, architects, and more. Only $1,200/month. Flexible lease (month-to-month or yearly) with no security deposit. Just $2,000 to move in (includes first month & background check). Call Peter at 781-820-5690 – Don’t miss out! LATEST LISTING Searching for your dream home in Malden? Explore exceptional properties in a thriving community — the perfect home is waiting for you! $839,900 SUE PALOMBA 617-877-4553 CEO OF MANGO REALTY JEANINE MOULDEN 617-312-2491 ROSA RESCIGNO 781-820-0096 45 PRINCETON RD MALDEN, MA Peter Manoogian (617) 387-6432 LEA DOHERTY 617-594-9164 MARIE RICHEMOND 609-553-7427 Prime Two-Family Home in Malden – A Rare Opportunity! Don’t miss your chance to own this beautifully maintained two-family home in one of Malden’s most desirable neighborhoods! Lovingly cared for by the same family for decades, this property is move-in ready and perfect for investors or extended families. Enjoy updated kitchens and baths, modern flooring, stainless steel appliances, and in-unit laundry in both units. Relax on the charming farmer’s porch or entertain on the spacious rear decks. Conveniently located near downtown Malden, Melrose, schools, shops, and public transportation — this home offers comfort, value, and location all in one. Call Peter at 781-820-5690 today for more details! MANGO REALTY MAKES IT HAPPEN! HAPPY BUYER AT 32 NEWHALL STREET, SAUGUS CARL GREENLER 781-690-1307 Real Estate Broker NORMA PARZIALE 617-590-9143 ROSE CIAMPI 617-957-9222 Ron Visconti (617) 387-6432 Real Estate Broker CHRISTINE DESOUSA 603-670-3353 Joe Dinuzzo 617-680-7610 38 Main St Saugus MA 01906 563 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 32 Main Street Rockport, MA 01966 Mango Realty is proud to announce the successful sale of a charming fixer-upper in East Saugus! With strong negotiation, clear communication, and a commitment to our clients’ goals, we helped our buyer secure this promising property under favorable terms. Congratulations to all involved, we love turning possibilities into proud homeownership. Thinking of buying or selling? Let Mango Realty guide you home. Call us now at 617-877-4553, email us at infowithmango@gmail.com, and don’t forget to visit www.mangorealtyteam.com. ׉ 7cassandra://q-MTem9sVVuk9zjMuDf9H4-AniuLEx9hR3Ag-TQJnFQ6`h/m)AOjv׉E THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 Page 23 Call for Classified Advertising at: 617-387-2200 Clean-Outs! We take and dispose from cellars, attics, garages, yards, etc. Call Robert at: 781-844-0472 For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@ advocatenews.net For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net Discount Tree Service 781-269-0914 The Kid Does Clean Outs From 1 item to 1,000 * Basements * Homes * Backyards * Commercial Buildings The cheapest prices around! Call Eric: (857) 322-2854 Memorial Day 2025 Sacrifices Remembered. Heroes Honored. 36 Essex Street, 3, Saugus -List Price: $339,000 Move-in ready 2-bedroom condo in the heart of Cliftondale Square! Enjoy an updated kitchen boasting cherry cabinets, granite counters, ceramic tile back splash, stainless appliances, breakfast bar and hardwood flooring, open to a sunny living room with slider to your private balcony. Freshly painted, new carpeting, wall a/c, deeded parking, laundry room in building, low condo fee includes heat & hot water. Listing Agent: Lori Johnson 781.718.7409 98 Cedar Street, 4, Wakefield-List Price: $529,000 Beautifully maintained and freshly painted townhome offering the perfect mix of comfort and convenience. Featuring gleaming hardwood floors and abundant natural light, this home boasts three bedrooms, One and a half baths, and a versatile, partially finished basement, ideal for a home office, gym, or bonus living space. Enjoy a bright and open main level perfect for entertaining, efficient gas heat, in-unit laundry, and one Deeded spot at your door step. Listing Agent: Lucia Ponte 781.883.8130 Professional TREE REMOVAL & Cleanups 24-HOUR SERVICE Steps Stoops Rebuilt or Repaired Chimney Rebuilt or Repaired House Foundation Leaks Repaired All Basement Repairs Chimney Inspection Roofing & Siding Masonry Repairs Window Installation & Repairs Drywall & Carpentry Waterproofing 14 Aaron Street, Melrose List Price: $649,000 Nestled on a quiet residential street in Melrose, this oldstyle 9 room, 5 bedroom, 2 full bathroom Colonial has been in the same family for many years and is ready for its next chapter. A great opportunity for buyers looking to restore and personalize this property located in a desirable community. Listing Agent: Lucia Ponte 781.883.8130 New Listing: 332 Lynnfield Street, Lynn List Price: $499,900 This Ranch style home features 2 spacious bedrooms, 1 full bath, and hardwood floors throughout. Convenient to schools, commuter routes, shopping, and Lynn/Swampscott beaches. Great home for first time home buyers, or if you are looking to down size. Also, superb condo alternative. Come bring your ideas to personalize this home or do nothing but unpack and enjoy! Listing Agent: Lucia Ponte 781.883.8130 ׉ 7cassandra://tOLVCqx0lcMS7BO_9IiwDHjfLeVlddE3k5xMz7G41YU0`h/m)AOjwh/m)AOjv rבCטUru׉׉ 7cassandra://mWq5WlVxeKfgTA0TQMu_h3YaDBaqOjl4rdsSQbNqU-0`'p׉ 7cassandra://oKvVRh3w8qRfnRbfqGi_Hf-3N5b6U-l0yjnaFP1N7Qw͝`׉ 7cassandra://QzO7Xq-P2m71AB0IpiGmyS9cgXWeSPoSljkeyMAaGRg1%`h/m&)AOj׉E3Page 24 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 ׉ 7cassandra://QzO7Xq-P2m71AB0IpiGmyS9cgXWeSPoSljkeyMAaGRg1%`h/m)AOjx׈Eh/m)AOjyh/m)AOjx r,Malden Advocate 05/23/2025Malden Advocate 05/23/2025h/mO'+