DiDomenico reports on casino revenue, toll discount plan
Senator Sal DiDomenico told the aldermen Monday night at city hall that contrary to a recent claim in the Boston Globe that the state’s wealthier com- munities will get the lion’s share of revenue from the casino gambling law, the so-called poorer communities like Everett will do pretty good. He noted that he co-sponsored an amendment that calls for an extra $2.3-million a year in state funds for Everett from casino revenues. DiDomenico also pledged to work with the city council to get the state to approve a plan under which Everett motorists would get a temporary toll discount for using the Tobin Bridge to get to Boston during the reconstruction of Route 99 and the Alford Street Bridge. The senator recommended that the aldermen and council send a joint letter to the state department of transportation formally requesting the special toll discount. He vowed to actively “go to bat” for the city once the letter is submitted.
Aldermen salute “role model” Richard Fineran
Local resident Richard Fineran, who was recently inducted into the Mass. Girls’ Volleyball Hall of Fame, was presented with a congratulatory city citation at city hall Monday night. Fineran started the volleyball program at Northeast Vocational High School and is presently the highly successful coach at Pope John. Ald. Robert Van Campen noted that Fineran has also been a high school teacher for nearly 40 years – he’s now teaching at Pope John – and he’s had an outstanding military career, having retired as a major in the National Guard. “Richie Fineran has left a mark on probably generations of kids at the vocational school and in Everett,” said Ald. Van Campen, “and he’s the kind of individual that we should look up to as a role model”.
Board calls for “burn rate” report from budget chief
The aldermen have formally asked budget director Lauren Chapman to pre-pare a detailed “burn rate” report for all city departments so that they can evaluate just where the city stands budget-wise at the mid-point of the current fiscal year. The aldermen will meet with Chapman in January to go over her report to see if any departments are in danger of over-spending their budget allowances heading into the final six months of FY 2012.
Bid to regulate placement of satellite dishes to be revived
Ward Five Ald. Robert Van Campen hasn’t given up regarding his effort to pass an ordinance to strictly regulate the location and placement of TV satellite dishes on local homes. He disclosed earlier this week that he’ll re-file a proposal to accomplish his goal in January.
More donations received by city
The city over the past week received a total of $1,365 in donations. The major one – for $1,000 – was made by CDM and it will go towards the building of the special 9/11 monument in Everett Square. Two of the donations were made to the local veterans’ services office – $300 from the Carmen A. Schiavo Club and $65 from the Ragucci family.