New law allowing repairs on “private ways” only needs mayor’s signature:  As expected, the common council voted unanimously Monday night to finalize a proposal that will legally authorize the city to start making “temporary” repairs on private ways when the repair work is deemed to be a “public safety necessity”. All that is needed for the law to go into effect is the signature of Mayor Carlo DeMaria and that is assured since the new law was the mayor’s idea to start with. For decades, residents who live on any one of Everett’s 100 “private ways” have complained that while they pay taxes like residents on public streets, they have been denied basic street repairs – like the filling of pot holes – because the existing law prevented the city from making such repairs to their “private” streets. The measure finalized by the councillors this week at the request of the mayor will allow “temporary” repairs to be made to any private roadway that has been open to public use for at least six years, as long as the repairs are deemed to be necessary for safety purposes. In addition, at least 50% of the street’s abutters would have to agree to have the repairs made. The new law also contains a legal mechanism that “holds the city harmless” from becoming legally liable for the street as a consequence of making the road repairs. Mayor DeMaria said the change in the local law is long overdue, noting that “the new process will finally allow us to help taxpaying residents on private ways without creating any liability for the city”.

Repainting of crosswalk requested by council threesome:  At the request if neighborhood residents, Councillors Cynthia Sarnie, Rosa DiFlorio and Catherine Hicks have called for the city to repaint the crosswalk lines on top of Forest Avenue to Liberty Street, where they have been in past years. The work order was forwarded this week to the mayor’s office and the city ser-vices department.

Ranieri renews call for meeting with “Just Energy” officials:  Two weeks ago, Councillor Anthony Ranieri called for a representative from the “Just Energy” outfit – which has a crew going door-to-door in the city – to meet with the council to discuss what Ranieri says are their rude and intimidating tactics, which has upset many local residents. However, instead of appearing at this week’s council session, the company sent a letter, which served only to further infuriate Ranieri. He’s “re-invited” the company to send a representative to the next meeting, and he wants the police chief to be there as well because while the company has a permit to go door-to-door, it hasn’t yet posted “public notice” of their intent, as required by law.

Woodwaste project awaiting “go-ahead” nod from DEP:  At its most recent meeting, the members of the city council’s public safety committee were informed by Woodwaste’s lawyer that the Boston Street com-pany has completed all of the required paperwork to proceed with the building   of their promised enclosed facility for their business. Atty. Anthony Rossi said Woodwaste is now awaiting approval of the plan by the state department of environmental protection.