[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6220659,"mediaKeyId","3616662-7e0e06a832267b00c202c3a7f5715885","parentId",3616662,"title","Council asks administration for written update on closed Central Avenue Park","audioSeconds",119,"startMs",5531000,"endMs",5650000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3616662-7e0e06a832267b00c202c3a7f5715885&start=5531&end=5650","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3616662-7e0e06a832267b00c202c3a7f5715885/thumbnail_5531000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6220659/Massachusetts/Council-asks-administration-for-written-update-on-closed-Central-Avenue-Park","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220659-12fe87252ecdb2c43e0af0670d4cf912/orig.mp4?Expires=1770669140&Signature=IuybS-Qv-j~vxOiTJPuFApFLojc3c-N0X2UEig6jiBOJvvuJE4RvwJIEptO2sDnfcj~58ZyF9d7WFhYFcMIXCBdc8WylfF1Cq8z2l5TeEM6B-NFgd~5-fdOsQ68zwaajiZRozIcbcw~T~Oe8pZOHVSXs1MCo3aHKpf1DQZPahZh0V6GJrBM5QFJhXYQ-U68mg~MDyuK95EvO9iKwifgGmP2~m8S~b2bV0hyWHzm0F6NJaH3nrH2lNugbCU5CbyA69TdpP2eXTk09yXh3AlcUq-fk3GXTwAdlAyRgOGX7mMNP-PuHS38-GzufO-v68eagqhl4YvDuuVaqurg9q7Rggg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Everett City, MA","date","2025-05-27T00:00:00Z","article","The Everett City Council requested a written status update on Central Avenue Park after Councilor Katie Rogers said constituents had circulated a petition and noted the park remains fenced and inaccessible.

Councilor Rogers said she visited the park during the previous campaign and found conditions unchanged. She asked for an official timeline and for the city to explain why the park remains closed. Councilor Holly Garcia reported she had followed up with the mayor’s chief of staff and was told an update was forthcoming but had not received it in writing.

Action taken

The council voted to refer the matter to the mayor’s office and the planning department and asked that the administration provide a written response by the council’s June 9 meeting. The council also suggested involving engineering if warranted.

Why it matters

Residents said the park’s prolonged closure has left green space unused and contributed to litter and neighborhood concern; the council asked for a concrete plan and timetable for reopening.

Ending

The council will review the city’s written update on June 9; the mayor’s office and planning department were asked to respond in writing prior to that meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Everett City Council Meeting 05-27-25","oneSentenceSummary","Councilor Katie Rogers asked for a status report after constituents circulated a petition; the council referred a request to the mayor’s office and planning department and asked for a written update by the council’s June 9 meeting.","taxTitle","Everett City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",78383,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6220664,"Everett council approves three National Grid street‑work petitions; one councilor votes no over unresolved path issue",604,260000,864000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3616662-7e0e06a832267b00c202c3a7f5715885&start=260&end=864","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3616662-7e0e06a832267b00c202c3a7f5715885/thumbnail_260000.jpg","/articles/6220664/Massachusetts/Everett-council-approves-three-National-Grid-streetwork-petitions-one-councilor-votes-no-over-unresolved-path-issue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220664-721a261e0f2b8eb83f3886c21350d7af/orig.mp4?Expires=1770669140&Signature=nvBpapaFiOKt3rq7uEbe3fcCcpyhrRF0qIEKSqRw4otkEe9V7gF1GK5YgN6iijmro~BPkw2S6SHEpiuQHPlEjVIQj0cVivdqdA4RLVl9FolmkeV3D25SB5lHY~CufiiPdLXtJZi8Ui5pzjSJgdEYKUbgpzvByzYcPvNOxt03-DnowTg1CZzyZm8yJaKiQOivxOgFe7~AT~Lj8hJrF-r8k8oZIPmLwNMA-GVqQ2y~J06rFyC-UPU0Ot52P-G4YmlwxNnUNrvUBbreRuVlcSWTe3RdLqQX5k~L-11MSDfUeETRTjuIm6e5NCSOHbDmaCLYlZVWGTS--bGoW9h2gUrCPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Everett City Council approved three separate National Grid petitions after short public hearings: a request to run roughly 8 feet of conduit from Manhole B 530 to private property at 229‑231 Main Street (item 1); a request to install an infill pole near the end of Spring Street (item 2); and a request to relocate an existing pole about 25 feet at 24 Silver Road (item 3).

Petitioner Jose Luis Isertia described the first item as a customer‑driven service upgrade that requires an underground conduit from a sidewalk‑side manhole into private property at 229‑231 Main Street. He told the council the work would require breaking one sidewalk panel and that National Grid’s crew would replace the panel with matching concrete.

Council comment and votes

Councilor Rogers announced she would vote no on National Grid items to protest the utility’s failure to address a path at Rivergreen for more than a year; she said she planned to vote no on all National Grid petitions “tonight.” Councilors nevertheless approved the items:

- Item 1 (229‑231 Main St., ~8 feet of conduit from Manhole B 530): council approved after roll‑call; clerk announced the result as “9 yeas, 1 nay.”
- Item 2 (new infill pole on Spring St. near Pole 2473 to serve 128 Spring St.): council approved; clerk recorded “9 yeas, 2 nays.”
- Item 3 (relocate existing pole ~25 feet at 24 Silver Road): council approved; clerk recorded “9 yeas, 2 nays.”

Public comment and petitioner answers

No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition during the hearings. The petitioner answered technical questions from councilors about sidewalk repair, outage length during pole transfers and placement relative to the house at Silver Road.

Ending

All three petitions were approved by the council and the petitioners were excused. Councilor Rogers was the lone, consistent opposing vote and linked her opposition to unresolved maintenance and public‑way concerns at Rivergreen.","The council approved three public‑utility petitions to install or relocate conduit and poles at Main Street, Spring Street and Silver Road. Councilor Rogers said she would oppose all National Grid items because of a longstanding unresolved path issue at Rivergreen.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6220669,"Everett council asks Massachusetts attorney general to seek return of $180,000 in mayoral payments",437,5184000,5621000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3616662-7e0e06a832267b00c202c3a7f5715885&start=5184&end=5621","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3616662-7e0e06a832267b00c202c3a7f5715885/thumbnail_5184000.jpg","/articles/6220669/Massachusetts/Everett-council-asks-Massachusetts-attorney-general-to-seek-return-of-180000-in-mayoral-payments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220669-fb87e2a3bcae9cb8ccaa137751fa29fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770669140&Signature=GUfMVg-0GIla2q7I7KTulx0glvnVdi3F-GCOrwcy2NIeC~TjrXkz-GzvsQIZ1-Pv1BsiRuAMsjstMTTmIWqgKmr6l~pPRvUkdHFmQr205CnlKtDRbeulnTceb3O0w7Abi2s3ZeEoKQh8gvx0yKorMnrX2iiCwzIpOiczGAXZgqDBpBkpjzgLuE~YYxvnq4~9Z3jk-99QbLmemJRd4zlQQJNjJQKX-~lZx6qMOPOnZk3o411vaJLUr3P-y67TFzynwqQg7buB7tUex~MO-uQowdT0AR1sBJFZx5XnYWOihP0QaZvf~F4Sr4ECXbA9V9hxV8h8aHxXUn3BTZBvZ1YhBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Everett City Council voted unanimously to ask the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office to commence action to recover $180,000 in longevity payments that the inspector general’s report identified as improper.

Councilor Robert Van Campen introduced the resolution asking the attorney general to investigate and, if appropriate, recover the funds. Van Campen cited the state inspector general’s report issued on Feb. 27 and said the council needed an independent enforcement path: “We are now in a position where we don't have the ability to recover a hundred and $80,000 in funds that the inspector general deemed improperly paid,” he told the council.

Why it matters: The inspector general concluded the payments were not properly authorized under the applicable ordinances and that the city should seek recovery. The council’s resolution asks the attorney general to consider the inspector general’s findings and to initiate whatever civil action or remedies the AG finds appropriate.

What the council voted

The council voted to forward the resolution and to send it to the state attorney general, copying the city’s special counsel; councilors moved, seconded and recorded unanimous favorable action on the item.

Key background and debate

Council members who spoke during the discussion said the inspector general is an independent, professional watchdog and that invoking the AG would allow a neutral adjudication if the mayor or administration disputes the IG’s findings. Van Campen and other sponsors said they preferred an outside review rather than an internal resolution.

A number of residents raised the issue during public participation earlier in the meeting, alleging misuse of public funds and urging the council to act.

Formal action

The council adopted the resolution by recorded vote (10–0) and directed staff to forward the matter to Attorney General’s Office (first assistant and relevant divisions) and to the city’s outside counsel for coordination.

Ending

The AG’s office decides whether to open a formal civil action; the council’s resolution asks the AG to review the inspector general’s findings and act as appropriate.","By a unanimous vote the city council asked the state attorney general to pursue recovery of $180,000 that the inspector general found was improperly paid to the mayor; sponsors cited the inspector general's findings and requested outside review.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6220674,"Everett council postpones vote on 21‑story Sophia TIF after extended debate",5433,2970000,8403000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3616662-7e0e06a832267b00c202c3a7f5715885&start=2970&end=8403","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3616662-7e0e06a832267b00c202c3a7f5715885/thumbnail_2970000.jpg","/articles/6220674/Massachusetts/Everett-council-postpones-vote-on-21story-Sophia-TIF-after-extended-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220674-2cdf8be75a34867aa3a66f615be564b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770669140&Signature=gK6miKO~fhHE3FyKdqUAJ~Qi8rUcAYwt1Jk046k6gZ9yKLv2thcYpuAzg8TMf0dpg4kwYlov74WTiQdJ1dLO59uLZDE3CcS8m-bE93-4R5zQ4cV~3PS2FLrh7nFlxrto~C08cywCM1hSGAraS0F6Rs6iq4lvsOnpP6QER1UEN6ydz3mPyyXVa3IFSR-jHtSvhWI4Sfw1ICD~D4i2sYN2ZAQoOJCr84Wn-5kd1wDShg8GTb7oO02SBRgPNw6-bC-bM-fNs5eiFzr63RlzgjY1yMCznZU3OqTGqL815ri42mffPHfSTBrnSzP2PKyWrldppgo2FfOAPnivP4JCj9J1sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Everett City Council on Thursday postponed a vote on a proposed tax‑increment financing (TIF) agreement for the “Sophia” redevelopment at 380 Second Street, a roughly 21‑story, roughly 600‑unit project, after more than three hours of public comment and council questions about affordability, fee waivers and the proposed 14‑year term.

Council President Stephanie Martins moved to take item 18 up for discussion and to invite the developer and consultants; the council later agreed to postpone final action to the council’s June 9 meeting.

The proposal’s backers said the TIF is necessary for the project’s financing and will bring substantial tax revenue, job opportunities and public improvements to Everett. “The project will not be feasible in terms of getting financing from equity partners without this agreement,” said John Brainard, a consultant who presented leasing and market data on behalf of the development team. Developer representative Scott Brown told the council: “Without this vote in favor by the city council, the Sophia will not be able to go forward.”

Why it matters: Councilors and dozens of residents said the project would reshape a large industrial parcel on Second Street and could set a precedent for other high‑density developments in the Commercial Triangle Economic Development District. Supporters emphasized union construction, site remediation and promises of ground‑floor retail for Everett businesses. Opponents and skeptical councilors pressed whether the city would receive fair value during the 14‑year TIF term and whether the project’s affordable‑housing commitments were deep enough.

Most important facts

- Project and commitments: The developer described the proposal as a 21‑story mixed‑use building with roughly 600+ apartments, about 42 affordable units (developers and city staff discussed figures in that range), and an emphasis on veterans’ housing. The team said 33 of the affordable/deed‑restricted units would be reserved as VASH (HUD veterans) units at 30% AMI.

- Money and credits discussed at the meeting: The developer and city consultants identified a range of financial elements tied to the project and the TIF language discussed at the meeting: an in‑lieu payment to replace the as‑of‑right linkage fee (developer proposed $2,000,000 in two payments in lieu of a $620,000 as‑of‑right linkage figure), an environmental remediation commitment of roughly $3,400,000, a Garden Street extension/infrastructure item of about $3,100,000, an I&I (inflow & infiltration) public‑infrastructure contribution of about $614,000, and a discussion of the building‑permit fee where the draft TIF document described the building‑permit fee treatment as waived or deferred while peer‑review and other permit‑related costs would be covered by the proponent.

- Planning and affordability: The planning board had granted a discretionary reduction in the city’s inclusionary requirement down to 10% affordable units for this project; the developer’s team said it had revised the TIF draft to direct affordable‑housing inclusionary payments to the Everett Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

- Jobs and community benefits: Proponents described the project as Everett’s first 100% union high‑rise and said it would produce construction‑period jobs and ground‑floor retail opportunities, and that the TIF funds would secure long‑term cleanup and infrastructure improvements that otherwise might not occur.

Council concerns and public comment

Councilors and a large public turnout raised several recurring concerns: the length of the proposed 14‑year TIF and whether shorter terms would be feasible; the draft language about building‑permit fees (whether the fee was waived, deferred or effectively replaced by other commitments); the depth and timing of affordable‑housing payments; how much the city would actually receive if lease‑up runs slower than projected; potential school impacts; and the risk that approving one TIF could encourage requests for similar treatment for other projects.

Several union representatives and union leaders testified in favor of the project, citing multi‑year construction jobs and apprenticeship opportunities. Neighbors and residents urged greater affordability, raised questions about traffic and service capacity, and said the city should not forgo fees that support city services.

Formal action and next steps

Councilors postponed the final vote on the TIF; the council agreed to reconvene the item at its June 9 meeting so the developer and city staff can submit revised language addressing council concerns. The postponement was taken after debate and concluded with a council announcement that the item would return on June 9.

What to watch next

Councilors asked for a clean, updated TIF document that clarifies timing of payments, the permit fee treatment, the affordable‑housing payment schedule and strengthened language on union, workforce‑diversity reporting and local hiring commitments. The council also requested a community meeting to brief residents and unions on the project and its workforce plans.

Ending

Because the council postponed the vote, no final TIF was adopted Thursday. The matter will return to the council on June 9 with revised contract language and written clarifications from the developer and city staff.","After hours of public comment and council questions about affordability, fees and the length of the tax‑increment financing deal, Everett City Council postponed a final vote on a proposed 21‑story mixed‑use project at 380 Second Street to its June 9 meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council asks administration for written update on closed Central Avenue Park

Everett council approves three National Grid street‑work petitions; one councilor votes no over unresolved path issue

Everett council asks Massachusetts attorney general to seek return of $180,000 in mayoral payments

Everett council postpones vote on 21‑story Sophia TIF after extended debate