Challenging Times Ahead

Dear Malden Residents:

With another budget season upon us, we are faced with the reality that our revenues in the new fiscal year will not be sufficient to support our expenses. As most of you know, we are limited on what we can do relative to increasing revenues. Specifically, we are capped on property tax growth to 2 ½ percent per year and we don’t have any real maneuverability on our local receipts as these remain fairly constant year to year.

Additionally, state aid, in the form of unrestricted aid and school aid, promises to be a challenge. The proposal from the Commonwealth reveals that unrestricted local aid will increase $300K and funding for education will increase by only a little more than $200K. Meanwhile, our State Assessments, which include items such as the MBTA and Charter School tuition payments, increased resulting in a net decrease in Local Aid. Finally, our reliance on one-time resources in the amount of $5M in the current fiscal year to keep the city’s operations intact, have been all but exhausted going into the new fiscal year.

Since we are severely limited on what we can do on the revenue side of the balance sheet, we have to look toward our expenses to balance the budget, which by state law is required each year beginning on July 1. With most of the city budget being consumed by personnel costs, I already find myself not being able to sleep at night knowing that the decisions that need to be made to achieve the balance will not be easy.

There is no doubt that we find ourselves in a tough spot, but I am confident that if we work together we will meet the challenges that lie ahead. Despite our current fiscal situation, there are a lot of great things happening in our City and we continue to move forward with many successful projects and initiatives. Take a look here to see all that we have accomplished this past year. Thank you. 

Sincerely,

GARY CHRISTENSON

City of Malden, Mayor

Weathering the Storm

Dear Malden Residents, 

As I type my blog for February's E-Newsletter, I can't help but hope that we have seen the last of the snow.   

Despite the 50 plus inches we have received this winter, I have seen no quit in the response of our staff in responding to what seems like a never ending snowstorm. As a matter of fact, I have seen them not only respond but work to get better.

This is true thanks in large part to DPW Director Bob Knox. I have nicknamed him the Terminator because he does not stop at addressing as many of the issues that come his way. It does not matter the hour of the day or night, Mr. Knox tries to help as much as he humanly can. I also must compliment his wife Marianne as it’s not easy on her with two little kids to have to listen to her husband deal with me on an hourly basis.

I also can’t forget to thank the men and women of the Department of Public Works as they have given 100 percent during recent storms. I am also grateful for the work of our Emergency Management team, Permits, Inspections and Planning and Compliance. It has been all hands on deck in an effort to help as many of our residents and businesses as possible.

Another facet of responding to winter storms has been Police Chief Kevin Molis and Captain Glenn Cronin. Together, they have worked with the men and women of their department to enforce the rules in effect during declared snow emergencies. Their response has made it better for the DPW to plow and safer for first responders to travel in the event of an emergency situation.

Another new feature that has been added to our operation is a dedicated crew of sidewalk plows. We realize that a number of our residents are walking to and from Malden Center and other places in our community so we have worked immediately after the recent storms to clear as many of our sidewalks as possible. It’s an extra cost but in my opinion, it’s offset by improving pedestrian safety.

Something else we added is keeping the Bike Path clear of snow during the winter. On average, this will cost us approximately $500 per storm. We have received positive feedback from residents since many folks are using the path year round to get to and from their destinations. We are pleased to be assisting them by offering this new practice.

The last facet in responding to each storm is to educate residents and when needed, issue citations to those properties that don’t clear a path as required by ordinance. This emphasis is working slowly, but surely as Chris Webb, Director of Code Enforcement along with the Police Department and the Compliance Bureau report that they are seeing more and more people following the ordinance.

Proof that things are getting better in how we respond to snowstorms came during the most recent storm when at the height of the snow, someone contacted us asking how they might dispose of a microwave oven! Thank you for your patience as we continue to work on providing better service to you. Believe me, I realize it’s been a long winter but hang in there, spring is on the way!

Sincerely,

GARY CHRISTENSON

Honoring Those Who Served

Dear Malden Residents: 

This past week, we as a community exercised our right to vote in our municipal elections. This coming week we all take time to honor and remember the Veterans who gave us the ability to exercise that right. I hope you will take the opportunity and join me in thanking them for their service to our country on Monday, November 11th.

The traditional Veterans Day parade will begin at 10:00 am and lift off from Pearl and Pleasant Streets. The route will continue left onto Summer Street, right onto Mountain Avenue, right onto Mt. Vernon Street, right onto Salem Street, another right onto Pleasant Street and ending at City Hall.

Prior to the parade at 9:00 am, city officials will gather at Macdonald Stadium with members of the American Legion and with Veterans Services Director Kevin Jarvis to dedicate a POW Chair that will be located in a section of the stands in memory of all prisoners of war and those missing in action. This effort was initiated by Ward 4 City Councilor Jim Nestor and I am happy to report that eventually we will have this memorial not only at Macdonald Stadium but in all of our school buildings as well.

 

There are so many amazing things that have happened in and around Malden - from the Boston Red Sox World Series Championship to the Malden High School Boys Varsity Soccer making it to the second round of the State Tournament for only the second time in school history! There was also the recent Waitt’s Mount Renovation, the re-dedication of Tartikoff Park and the election of a new Mayor of Boston for the first time in 20 years. It’s easy to let the excitement overshadow the great sacrifices that have been made in order for us to enjoy these events. Not a day goes by where I don’t stop and pause for a moment to reflect all that has been made possible by our Veterans. Let us always remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and those who continue to defend our freedom today. Thank you Veterans!

GARY CHRISTENSON
Mayor, City of Malden

Education is the Key to Success in Malden

Dear Malden Residents,

I could not have been more pleased to read the recent U.S. News and World Report announcing Malden High School (MHS) and the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School (MVRCS) as two of the top 50 Best High Schools in Massachusetts. Most impressive was the fact that U.S. News and World reviewed 358 schools before determining the ranking.

Malden High School ranked 39^th and was able to accomplish this feat even though the school’s student-to-teacher ratio was larger than the state average. Additionally, in both Math and English, over 70 percent of the students were deemed proficient. The Mystic Valley Regional Charter School ranked 8^th and had over 90 percent of the students proficient in Math and English. I commend both schools on these accomplishments.

These statistics are proof of Malden’s commitment to improve the quality of education for our students. Most recently, Malden School Superintendent David DeRuosi announced a citywide early learning reading initiative that connects home and school by utilizing smart phones, tablets, and computers. This innovative program involves a partnership with Footsteps2Brilliance, an early learning platform that will provide every Malden family with a library of eBooks and educational games to help improve literacy skills.

The most appealing aspect of this project is that the MVRCS, the Cheverus School, and local early learning centers will be joining the Malden Public Schools in rolling out the program. This collaboration is certain to yield positive results, accelerate learning and assist our students in achieving future academic success.

Again, congratulations to MHS and MVRCS – they are inspiring examples of the hard work taking place in all our schools across the city!

Sincerely,

GARY CHRISTENSON

Mayor, City of Malden

FOR SALE: CITY HALL

Dear Malden Residents,

Some of you have jokingly offered a few dollars to purchase City Hall but the City Council and I are hoping for much more. Working together, we have crafted the Request for Proposals (RFP) so as to encourage creative and innovative options for what could be done with this land. A hotel, movie theater, and/or open space are some of the examples we incorporated into the request. We also added specific criteria that need to be met in order for the RFP to be viable including that the existing building be demolished and that Pleasant Street be reconnected.

This opportunity would not have been possible without your valuable input. In formalizing the RFP, we were able to utilize the Master Plan in which hundreds residents participated as well as the work of the Harvard Graduate School of Urban Design students that was completed this past year. Submissions are not due back until mid-October. We are hoping this extended time frame will allow applicants the time to think outside of the box and submit innovative options that will help us revitalize this area of the downtown. Thanks again to the City Council for their support and we will continue to update you as information becomes available during this important step for the future of Malden Square.

 

GARY CHRISTENSON

Mayor, City of Malden

Guest Blog: What Is It Like to Work in the Mayor's Summer Youth Program

Over the last two summers working in the Mayor’s Office, I have learned about being in the working world -- from watching the Mayor manage our city, to learning how to interact with constituents. I am grateful for this amazing opportunity to work for the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program, and thankful for all it has taught me.

A main part of my job in this office is answering phone calls and helping those who walk into the Mayor’s Office. Constituent Services Representative Yan Yu taught me so much about being respectful, polite, and incredibly helpful to all who call the Mayor’s Office. These interactions helped me learn more than just the Government Center extension numbers.

Each department is responsible for certain tasks throughout the city, and the main goal is for all to work together to create the best Malden possible. Besides gaining a deep understanding of the departments in our city, I have realized my own communication skills have improved.

I am able to speak with confidence, but also ask questions when I do not know the answer. These skills will absolutely play into my future when I am out of college and on my own.

As a Class of 2013 Alumnus of Malden High School, this fall I will be starting my freshman year at Trinity College in Hartford, CT, where I plan on studying Engineering. Many people have asked me why I am working in the Mayor’s Office if I want to enter the math and science field -- however, the two overlap more than most think.

Outstanding people, accounting, and management skills are looked at highly, regardless of the job field. In Engineering, I will not only be able to specialize in my lab work, but will have the resources I need to be a successful leader and manager of that lab, all because of my experience in MYSEP.

From Maldon to Malden

Dear Malden Residents,

One thing I have come to appreciate since becoming Mayor is the great history that is part of our city. From being one of the earliest colonies to declare independence to being the home of Bell Rock Cemetery where Malden’s Revolutionary War heroes rest, Malden claims a very proud history.

This was no more evident than last week when we welcomed the Choir of St. Mary’s from our sister city, Maldon, England. The Choir, led by their esteemed Director Colin Baldy, is highly regarded in both the UK and around the world. In addition to enjoying their musical talents, we were also able to share our culture and historical connection. 

What was even more impressive than having our sister city represented here in our community was the outpouring of support from our residents. St. Paul’s Church Parish has worked for nearly a year to make this week possible and the dedicated volunteers who worked in the planning or in opening up their homes to our guests have made us all proud.

From hosting a welcoming dinner at Anthony’s Restaurant to planning trips to Gloucester and the North End, the Hospitality Committee, as they have become known, treated our visitors with great care. However, I think our guests were most impressed with a trolley ride through Malden which included a tour of the Public Library, Malden High School, and the Davenport Estates. Another highlight was the publication of Malden resident and author Inna Babitskaya’s book written especially for the occasion called “From Maldon to Malden.”

Our community was surely rewarded with the Choir’s outstanding concert on Friday night. The Choir performed a number of songs including those of Benjamin Britten who is considered the greatest composer in the UK. My favorite moment came when I heard 15-year-old William Foster play the organ. He was magnificent and deserving of the standing ovation he received.

As the Choir prepared to leave our city to head back to Maldon, England, I paused and reflected once again on how privileged I was to be Mayor while they were here, but more importantly how fortunate I was to be working alongside such a dedicated group of residents who represented our city well.

To learn more about the Choir, please visit www.stmaryschoir.org.uk and to order a copy of the book From Maldon to Malden, please email Inna Babitskaya at innaab@yahoo.com. 

Working Together is Success

Dear Residents,

As we enter the summer season, it is a time to be outside enjoying activities such as walking, biking, running, and swimming. While you are outdoors, I ask that you also take note of your surroundings and inform us of any issues. From graffiti to debris to nuisance properties, your observations and input are a guaranteed way of improving our community. Left unattended, it is also a certain way that our city will never become what we all envision it can be.

We have made much progress and have worked hard with the City Council to provide myriad ways for you to communicate about what’s going on around you. Monthly E-updates, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter are a few of the outlets available to notify us of issues that need to be addressed. Of course, you can always report a concern by just using the good-old fashioned telephone!

One new tool that we currently employ with much success is Commonwealth Connect, a Smartphone App that can be downloaded for free using your Apple, Android, Windows Phone or Blackberry devices. We have resolved hundreds of issues since introducing this request-based system in March. Submitting an issue through your Smartphone may only take seconds, but the positive impact on your neighborhood and city may last for years to come.

Our city will only be as good as what you put into it. By working together, we can achieve success and see results. I am certain that if each one of us takes the time to get involved then the sky will be the limit for Malden.  

Sincerely,

                                                                                 

GARY CHRISTENSON

Mayor, City of Malden

CITY SHOWS PRIDE FOR VETS

Dear Malden Residents:

As I approach my second year in office, the one thing that has become abundantly clear is that Malden cares about Veterans.

From dedicating chairs of honor to Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action in the City Council chamber and the Jenkins Auditorium to the Annual Flag Day Celebration to be held this Friday at Bell Rock Memorial Park to the upcoming rededications of memorials honoring our Korean and Vietnam Veterans and the Tartikoff family from the first World War, the Malden community remains forever grateful to the brave men and women who kept us free.

Malden’s pride and respect for those that served our country was most evident this past weekend when our City hosted The Moving Wall. Not since the dedication of the World War II Memorial at Bell Rock Memorial Park has there been such an outpouring of community spirit. It is estimated that there were nearly 3,000 visitors to Forest Dale Cemetery during the three day event and it was not without a lot of reflection for the 58,000 Patriots whose names adorn the Wall, including 19 from Malden.

This feeling of community gratitude permeates down to the next generation as we are proud of Malden High School graduate Lisa DeLacey who will be attending West Point in the fall. In her heartfelt remarks during the Memorial Day Assembly, she explained how she wants to give back to the country that has given her so much. I am certain that Lisa will continue to make us proud as she prepares for the military academy.

Many of these projects require annual funding and, the one thing the City Council and I always agree on is remembering the sacrifices made by our Veterans. For the second straight year, we will be increasing city funding to our Veterans Services Department by nearly 5 percent.

The backbone of Malden’s ongoing support and dedication to our Veterans’ issues is Kevin Jarvis, Veterans Services Director. Kevin himself fought for his country on more than one occasion and he could have stopped there, but here he is 20 years later working day in and day out to make sure Veterans receive everything they deserve. Thank you, Kevin and thank you to our Veterans for defending our land of the free and home of the brave.

Sincerely,

GARY CHRISTENSON

Mayor, City of Malden 

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CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE REST OF THE MAYOR'S BLOG ON THE VETERANS AND THE MOVING WALL. 

Boston Marathon Day

Dear Malden Residents,

Like the horrific events of 9/11, I will never forget where I was when I first learned about the explosions at the Boston Marathon. I received a text from Police Chief Kevin Molis asking that I call him regarding some disturbing news coming out of Boston. I couldn’t immediately respond as I was with my niece, nephew, and his friend at the movies. The next text from Kevin indicated what had transpired and I stared in utter disbelief.

My first instincts were the same as Chief Molis’s which was to offer whatever resources we had available to help in the response efforts of the City of Boston. We also increased security in and around the T station especially since the MBTA was shorthanded due to the unfolding events on Boylston Street. We also reached out to Imam Hamid Bourote of our local mosque to let him know that we would have a presence in the downtown where his organization is located. The fear was that some may rush to judgment and conclude that the bombings emanated from the Middle East.

Unfortunately, my hunch was right as a few days later an individual physically assaulted a Malden Middle Eastern woman and her child. I was relieved to learn that neither one was seriously injured, but I was also outraged that this happened in our community which is known for its hospitality of different cultures from around the world. Police Chief Kevin Molis and members of his department responded quickly and are continuing with the investigation to find who was responsible for this heinous act.

There is little doubt that these are trying times for all of us. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and all those affected by the senseless tragedy at the Marathon. But I know our community and our sister city Boston like I think I do, I know that we will rise up and overcome the horrendous actions of a few. 

Sincerely,

GARY CHRISTENSON

City of Malden, Mayor

A New Way to Report City Issues!

Dear Malden Residents:

One of our goals in 2013 has come to fruition. On March 21, we introduced a new way for residents and businesses to submit their service requests to the city. Modeling the City of Boston’s successful Citizens Connect Smartphone application, Malden released its own version and even expanded the use of this initiative.

As an example, if a resident sees graffiti on the street they would normally call or email the Department of Public Works. Now, a resident can simply take a picture using their Smartphone and with one click the request is automatically sent to the Department. Once the graffiti is removed, the resident is notified on their Smartphone that the issue has been resolved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUaAwjTs7bY

We are already seeing great results from the program. Since its release, we have had 576 requests to the DPW and 543 were resolved with the balance slated for spring repairs. That equates to 94 percent of all issues being resolved via this new application and most were fixed within 24 hours. For the most part, submissions were for potholes with 278 requests followed by trash / recycling issues at 104.

This new initiative is benefiting the city in more ways than one as departments like the DPW are becoming more efficient. For instance, the DPW Director can now map out issues in the morning utilizing geo-mapping as opposed to crews just responding haphazardly as in the past. We can also see where in the city most of our issues are occurring and plan accordingly.

We want to thank Mayor Thomas Menino and the City of Boston for their leadership on this initiative which has led to Governor Patrick and Lt. Governor Murray offering to fund this application so that communities like ours can take advantage of this technology.

If you haven’t already, please download Commonwealth Connect for free from your Apple or Android device. If you do now own an Apple or Android device, you can submit requests online using our online widget.  All this can be accessed here http://www.cityofmalden.org/Resident-Issue-Reporting/. We look forward to utilizing this innovative application to improve the delivery of services for our residents!

Sincerely,

GARY CHRISTENSON

Mayor, City of Malden

It's Snow Wonder

Dear Malden Residents: 

I knew my streak of luck of a winter without a major snow storm would eventually end, but never did I imagine that my first serious storm as Mayor would be the fifth worst in Massachusetts history!

Throughout the forecasts, I continued to perform a “rain dance” in the hope that the impending storm might veer east out to the ocean. But when it didn’t, I knew I was going to be in for a long couple of days.

The first day of the storm didn’t seem too bad. It actually looked serene outside my office on the sixth floor of City Hall around noontime. The afternoon into the evening, however, was a different story.

DPW Director Bob Knox picked me up at 9 pm for a firsthand look at what was happening around the city and by then, the storm was in full force. The snow was rapidly intensifying and visibility was near zero. We made it to Public Works where I took the opportunity to thank the men and women in advance for what I knew was going to be a difficult time for our city.

After that, we were back on the road checking on the plowing operation and even finding a few minutes to help the Fire Department shovel out the ramps at Central so that emergency apparatus could respond to calls. By then, Director Knox predicted that it was going to take days to recover from this storm.

He later dropped me home so I could prepare for the aftermath which would take place on Saturday, Sunday, and into the following week. One comical moment came while Mr. Knox was picking me up on Saturday morning to begin our rounds and he got stuck leaving my house. A tow was required which garnered quite a few chuckles from the staff at Public Works.

Once freed, we continued to assist with the plowing operation as the storm did not stop until 4 pm on Saturday afternoon. The good news at that point was no one lost power and only one small tree had come down. Once the storm was officially deemed over, we switched over to the cleanup phase of the operation.

Every available piece of apparatus was redirected to this aspect of the operation. One problem was that by this time several pieces of equipment were down for the count after fighting the ferocity of the storm the night before and during the day Saturday. Thankfully, the City Council has indicated a willingness to support my proposal to replace many of the outdated pieces of equipment at Public Works which should help rectify this problem in the future.

Mr. Knox and I worked through the afternoon and evening except for a moment when he stopped by his home to clean the steps and wave to his two young children through the door. By then, Bobby along with many of his staff had worked 40 hours straight but to my amazement, they remained undaunted by the lack of sleep as they wanted to do the best job they could for the city.

We finally wrapped up around midnight feeling confident that for the most part, the main roads and secondary streets were passable for emergency apparatus to respond if needed. On Sunday morning, Mr. Knox picked me up at 9 am and we focused on the continued cleanup with a focus on the city’s courts, terraces, and parkways. We assisted the staff at the yard with the never-ending phone calls coming in as evidenced by my call sheet.

We were pretty beaten up after leaving the yard around midnight but were confident that with a little bit more time, our city would return to normal. Monday and Tuesday were practically spent 24/7 widening streets and removing snow. We decided that we could remove the Snow Emergency on Monday morning which is always a good sign that things would get better and Tuesday night we made the determination that students could return to school on Wednesday. The reason we waited two days before giving the all clear was that close to 75 percent of our kids walk to school and their safety was absolutely paramount.

A few more calls came in between Wednesday and Friday but for the most part, the worst of the Blizzard of 2013 was over. We spent those days working with property owners to remove snow in front of their homes and businesses, or otherwise, they would be issued fines. This was a concerted effort led by Director of Public Health Chris Webb and the early results prove that this undertaking was successful.

By Friday, one week removed from the storm, we were back to focusing on issues not having to do with snow and believe me, it was a great relief! 

Sincerely,

GARY CHRISTENSON
Mayor, City of Malden

Dear Malden Residents,

I want to reiterate my gratitude to my colleagues on how they responded to Hurricane Sandy. I was on the ground to see firsthand the hard work and dedication of our first responders. From our Emergency Management team fielding calls and keeping our community updated to our Department of Public Works staff along with our Police and Fire Departments responding without hesitation to the dangerous conditions, I could not be prouder as Mayor and as a resident of Malden on their efforts.

The only real negative from that day was that there was another shooting near the corner of Henry and Cross Streets. The Police responded quickly and are actively investigating the incident. It appears that the parties involved knew one another although that doesn’t justify the shooting but fortunately there were no life sustaining injuries. There was some good news on the crime front as the Police Department made an arrest of two individuals for an armed robbery near the T station, an arrest of a person notorious for housebreaks, and finally, a person suspected of using a gun on someone near the Elmwood Pharmacy was tracked down to Chelsea and arrested.

While we continue to focus on ways to address crime, we are also continuing to look at ways of addressing the difficult conditions our employees are faced with on a daily basis working in City Hall and the Department of Public Works. Both facilities are in dire need of work and the time has come to develop a plan to address this problem. We are working on a plan that not only makes sense physically but also financially and I hope to update the community prior to the end of 2012 with an update.

Speaking of 2012, it’s that time of the year again. I hope you will get involved with some of the great community activities on the horizon. I have always been impressed with the number of organizations making a difference in our community. From a comedy show to benefit the Malden Public Schools to the 125^th Thanksgiving Day game between Malden and Medford to the Parade of Holiday Traditions on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, there are plenty of things to do in Malden. I hope you will get involved and thank the organizers of these events for their dedication to Malden.

One way to get be aware and get involved is to let your friends and neighbors know to follow us by submitting their email address to us or by following us on Facebook and / or Twitter. Thank you!

 

Sincerely,

GARY CHRISTENSON

Mayor, City of Malden

Malden City Hall Relocation

Dear Malden Residents,

On Tuesday, October 23^rd, I went before the City Council to brief them on my proposed plans to relocate City Hall.  I am thankful to the council for agreeing to my suggestion to issue Requests for Proposals (RFP) to explore responses to where we could relocate City government services.

As many of you know, I have long advocated moving City Hall from its current site. Beyond the fact that it’s difficult to get to and navigate once inside, the capital costs to rehabilitate the building is upwards of $15M and the ongoing operating costs will remain extremely expensive to stay.

If we receive an RFP that meets our needs and the council and I decide to accept them and leave City Hall, we will then begin a separate process seeking proposals for the redevelopment of 200 Pleasant Street. What is important to remember is that this RFP will be based upon resident input gathered from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council grant we received in partnership with the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

All of these steps are efforts towards achieving our ultimate goal, which is to stimulate economic development and strengthen the downtown businesses.  Situated next to the MBTA's fifth busiest Orange Line stations, I believe the downtown area will be invigorated by the reconnection of Pleasant Street and the removal of the city hall building, giving the nearly 12,000 daily riders who use the Malden Center T Stop much easier access to our restaurants and stores.

I will update you once we get something back concrete. In the meantime, please provide us with any comments or suggestions at info@cityofmalden.org.

Sincerely,

GARY CHRISTENSON

Mayor, City of Malden

Malden Moves Forward

Crime continues to be the focus here at City Hall. 

I want to thank the Malden Police Department for responding admirably in the wake of the gun violence over the summer. Since the most recent incident on Eastern Avenue, the Police Department has held four random sweeps with outside law enforcement agencies across the city involving K-9 dogs and police motorcycles. I believe their strategy is working based on the positive feedback from the City Council and residents throughout Malden. There are more planned in the coming weeks and months. 

In the meantime, we continue to work with Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone on tracking the young adults that have been the root of the recent incidents. We are also looking at partnering with an organization to provide high-risk intervention services in an attempt to get some of these troubled young adults back on track to be contributing members of society.

Despite the challenging times, Malden is moving forward. I continue to be amazed by the upgrades made to Macdonald Stadium. This facility will benefit the entire community for generations to follow. Window Arts Malden had their annual reception last night and I am thrilled and honored with the number of Malden artists who are excited about contributing to our City! I also attended the renovated Town Line Luxury Lanes where the Decotis family invested over $1M in their business and one of their first scheduled events is to help raise funds for our student athletes.

The Malden Public Schools MCAS scores were recently released and there were three “Level 1” schools which is the highest score a school can receive and the other schools were not far behind. Speaking of our schools, I was very impressed with our high school students who fundraised over $2,800 for the Bread of Life at last weekend’s Annual Walk/Run for this organization that serves residents in need of assistance.

Again, there is no doubt we have a lot of work to do in the area of crime prevention.  The acts of kindness mentioned above are steps in the right direction to making Malden a safer and better place to live. I thank the folks who are getting involved and I thank you for reading these community newsletters.
I truly believe that by working together, we will reach the potential that this city has to offer.


Sincerely,
 
GARY CHRISTENSON
Mayor of Malden

After the Shooting off Warren Avenue

What seemed to begin as a typical Monday with a full schedule of meetings set for the morning with more in the afternoon changed with one phone call. During my second meeting of the day, an urgent note was delivered to me that a shooting had occurred in broad daylight on a main thoroughfare near a very busy restaurant.

As always, my first instinct was to call the Police Department to get the details of the incident and to make sure they had all the resources of the government they needed to investigate the incident and to bring the perpetrator(s) to justice.

 

Next I contacted School Superintendent David DeRuosi to ensure our schools were appropriately locked down until the Police Department gave the all-clear for students to be outside for lunch and recess. Superintendent DeRuosi handled the situation with the utmost diligence as did our school Principals and staff.

 

My office has been working judiciously with Police officials to release information to the community as it happens. To this end, my office issued an immediate statement to the City Council and local press and posted it to the City website and social media applications Facebook and Twitter.  Thanks to a superb effort of the Malden Police Department, a suspect was apprehended within minutes of the shooting. Upon the arrest, I conferred with members of the press to further assure residents and businesses that we will continue to work on ways to make Malden a safer community.

 

During a 2 ½ hour Executive Session meeting with the City Council last Tuesday night  we discussed new initiatives to provide more of a police presence around the City. The Council voted to add additional police officers to our ranks and I am truly grateful and appreciative of their unanimous support.

Next, I met with Chief Holland and the Executive Boards of both police unions on Wednesday night to discuss further initiatives to address the recent shootings. And last Friday night there was a coordinated K-9 Sweep across Malden involving a multitude of law enforcement agencies, including K-9 units from Everett, Chelsea, Medford, Revere, Saugus, Somerville and Winchester. Valuable support was also provided by the Massachusetts State Police, Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, Essex Sherriff’s Office and the Metro North Gang Task Force.

More K-9 Sweeps of Malden are planned in an effort to send a strong message that we will not tolerate violence in our community. We are also looking to work with Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone to create a model that would track the young adults that are at the root of the problem in Malden and pair them up with an organization that provides high-risk intervention services.

Thank you for hanging in there with us and please continue to let Police officials know at 781-322-1212 if you notice any suspicious activity. Together we will work to build a safer Malden.

7 New Public Safety Initiatives

Dear Malden Residents,

The recent unrelated acts of violence serve to remind us that the issue of public safety needs our constant attention. I want to thank the Malden Police Department and other law enforcement agencies for working diligently to solve the recent crimes that have negatively impacted our city. I also want to re-assure you that the safety of our residents and businesses is a priority for me. From meeting weekly with Police Department officials to holding eight public safety awareness meetings around the city, I am working closely with the City Council to make sure that our community is safe. This week I announced a series of initiatives that will further assist our law enforcement officials to help prevent crime and improve public safety. They are as follows:

1.    Hire additional Police Officers – I remain committed to increasing the number of police officers. Currently, we have 74 Patrol Officers and we are in the process of hiring 4 additional officers which will bring us to 78. Tonight, I propose adding 3 more that will result in a total of 81 police officers. The funding will come from citywide positions in the budget that have yet to be filled.

 

2.    Assign more Officers to the Anti-Crime Unit – This Unit was formed in 2010 and has been tasked with working in the Malden Center Train Station area and surrounding neighborhoods primarily during the evening hours. Currently, there are 3 officers assigned to this Unit. I propose the use of overtime funding to assign 2 additional officers to this group resulting in a 5-member Unit.

 

3.    Continue surveillance camera expansion – Surveillance Cameras are an effective technique to detect and deter criminal activity. The cameras provide another means for Police Officers to have a visible presence in certain areas of the City. We presently have 18 cameras around the city. I want to expand this number by adding 12 more which will give us a total of 30 surveillance cameras. The cost of the High Definition cameras which can pan, tilt, and zoom is estimated at $5,000 per unit. I propose that the total purchase price of $60,000 be funded through the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that I will forward to the City Council in September-October.

 

4.    Purchase additional License Plate Readers – License Plate Readers can rapidly identify and process thousands of license plates compared to manual checks that might only be in the hundreds. Presently, we have 5 stationary readers and 3 in our police cruisers. I want to purchase an additional 2 stationary readers and one more to be installed in our police cruisers. The cost per unit is estimated at $20,000. I propose that the total cost of $60,000 be funded through the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that I will forward to the City Council in September-October.

 

5.    Purchase more unmarked cars – Unmarked vehicles allow police officers the considerable advantage of patrolling areas and carrying out surveillance efforts while not being seen. I want to purchase 2 additional vehicles. The cost per vehicle is estimated at $15,000. I propose that the total cost of $30,000 be funded through the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that I will forward to the City Council in September-October.

 

6.    Install a secure, high performance wireless broadband network – This private network owned, operated and managed by the Malden Police Department would significantly enhance both emergency and normal daily public safety operations. Such a network would:

 

·         stabilize and improve the performance of  the current  Police radio system and extend its useful life;

·         expand  high performance  video surveillance into new areas of the City while retaining the existing deployed cameras;

·         provide reliable, HD quality video images that will improve investigation and crime reduction capabilities; and

·         become a platform for importing non-City video feeds from schools, retail centers, and other locations into the 911 center. This would not only assist with investigations, but also improve emergency and incident responses.

 

I propose that the cost for installing and maintaining this network, once it’s finalized, be funded through the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that I will forward to the City Council in September-October.

 

7.    Reopen Residential Permit Parking Program – The benefits that such a program offers would assist in promoting public safety by preventing unwanted vehicles on city streets. Permit parking stickers would be free for those already paying excise taxes. What this program would allow us to do is collect taxes from those residents not currently paying their fair share. These new monies would then be dedicated to hiring additional Police Officers. I have asked Councillor Kinnon as the City Council’s Public Safety Chairman to begin holding hearings on this initiative.

 

More importantly than any of the initiatives outlined above is the fact that we need your help. Please notify the Police Department if you see or hear about anything that is suspicious. In the meantime, always feel free to contact me with any questions at 781-397-7000, option 6 or mayor@cityofmalden.org. 

Communication and Responsibility: Learning as a summer youth intern

Communication and Responsibility: Learning as a summer youth intern

Guest Blogger: Rumana Papia

Working as an intern at the Superintendent's office has taught me the importance of communication and responsibility. Whether it was communicating with others in the office, with teachers of the schools, or interdepartmentally with Human Resources, the Business Department, and the Mayor’s Office, communication is an important aspect of maintaining a healthy school system and city.

Communication doesn’t just stop at the end of the school day when the bell rings. Parents and guardians are encouraged to stay engaged in their children’s school life. In one occasion a concerned parent began asking me questions about the High School considering her 13 year old daughter was going to be attending the following month. It was clear to me that education was incredibly important to her. In order to provide parents and children the best possible education experience they can receive, the Superintendent’s Office consults with constituents, keeps teachers’ files maintained, and makes sure each faculty member is properly equipped with appropriate skills so that the students have the opportunity to learn to be active progressives in the modern world. It is often said “children are the future,” but in order to obtain a successful and prosperous future, teachers, parents, and most importantly, students have to work together.

My supervisors, Jo Ann and Marie, taught me important lessons through my first job experience. They work closely with Superintendent David DeRousi, and their motivation has always been and will always be the children. These respectable women taught me that it is okay to ask questions, that it is alright to be curious, they explained to me how each person and each department is responsible for a specific task and that in order to keep Malden and its residents satisfied, one must make sure everyone contributes their part.

I am very thankful to have this job experience, the lessons I learned have given me a new perspective into the school system and will stay with me forever.

Growing from Summer Youth Program

Guest Blogger: Annie Feng

My name is Annie Feng, I came from China when I was 13 years old and shortly after, I went to Malden High School. In the fall I will be a freshman in college attending the University of Massachusetts Boston. 

Through the last five weeks’ working at My Little Best Friends Daycare, I have learned a few important lessons. Patience is the most important asset to have when taking care of kids. I always love kids and playing with them. But to be a babysitter, patience is something I have increasingly gained, along with a close eye for detail. Previous to my job, I knew how to change a diaper from taking care of my sister, but at the ELC I have learned to change more than one child. It was hard for me to become accustomed to, but I gradually learned how to balance multiple tasks and pay careful attention to everything. I have also learned what to do after a child finishes a meal, and to watch the kids carefully to ensure their safety.

Another important concept at work is to teach the children what to do and what not to do in the classroom. It has been difficult adjusting to this, but as the weeks went on, I grew confident and now I feel comfortable teaching the children life lessons. One instance of this was when we took the children to the park to play. We lined up and began walking; on the way to the park I was standing in the back of the line to make sure all the kids were safe and together. One child was looking back and not where he was walking and almost hit a tree, I quickly pulled him out so he would not get hurt. I told him that he needs to pay attention where he walks. Circumstances like this happen frequently when taking care of kids; we have to be very careful. I felt grateful that I was able to help this child stray from danger.

I am very happy to have this opportunity to work at My Little Best Friends and to grow from this experience. And I believe the lessons I learned here will help me in the future no matter what kind of career I would choose.