Malden Mass - Find out what's happening

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Combine Properties buys 17 Centennial Drive - Combined Properties, Inc., of Malden, a full-service real estate investment and development firm in Greater Boston, today announced that it has acquired the 47,994-square-foot Class-A medical and office building at 17 Centennial Drive in Centennial Park, Peabody, Mass., for $2.0 million. Seller TD Bank was represented by Brecht Palombo of Tranzon Auction Properties, and Combined Properties represented itself. The property is the former home of the Mass General/North Shore Cancer Center and is being offered for lease by Combined Properties. “This was a fast-track transaction with a non-conditional purchase and sale agreement. We went from handshake to closing in seven days,” said John Pereira, president of Combined Properties. Said Mr. Palombo, “As the lead on this transaction I can tell you that our experience with Combined Properties was smooth. John Pereira executed as promised and delivered on an extraordinarily quick closing at a very fair price. Every deal should go this well.”
The building occupies 3.93 acres at the entrance of Centennial Park, near the interchange of I-95, Route 128 and Route 1, 10 minutes north of I-93. The building features 2 floors, 5 tenant entrances, 4.4 parking spaces per 1,000 s.f. of office space, and available suites from 3,500 s.f. up to full-building. The acquisition brings Combined Properties’s portfolio in the park to 380,000 s.f. in 5 buildings on 44 acres. Other holdings include: 1 and 2 Corporation Way, together 190,000 square feet of 1st class office space; 2 Technology Drive, a 60,000 s.f. light manufacturing building; and 4 Technology Drive, an 84,300 s.f. flex building. The properties encompass land for construction of an additional 125,000 s.f. of build-to-suit space. Said Mr. Pereira, “With this acquisition we enhance our ability to offer tenants a full range of property types in any configuration needed.” Supporting tenants’ growth and success, the company’s full-service capabilities include space planning, construction, financing and property management. When the city of Peabody opened Centennial Park 25 years ago it selected Combined Properties to kick off the economic development project as the first designated developer. The company continues to see the park as an outstanding investment. Said Mr. Pereira, “The park’s proximity to Boston and excellent highway access make it a hub for world class companies recruiting talent from Cambridge and Boston. The park offers a campus-like setting, first-class buildings, great rental values, hotels and other amenities minus the traffic congestion found closer to the city and along other stretches of the Route 128 corridor.” Among park occupants are A.G. Edwards, Analogic, BMW, Boston Acoustics, Carl Zeiss, Converge, Cardinal Health, Children’s Hospital, and Marriott. posted 8/26

Mystic Vally to build athletic facility with help from $8 million bond - MassDevelopment has issued an $8 million tax-exempt bond on behalf of Mystic Valley Regional Charter School in Malden, which educates more than 1,000 students from Malden, Medford, Melrose, Everett, Stoneham, and Wakefield on its elementary and high school campuses. The School plans to use bond proceeds to build 25,000 square feet of athletics space. Mystic Valley Regional Charter School currently leases land throughout Malden for practices and games, and the more modern, larger facility will allow teams to play in a single central location. Salem Five Cents Savings Bank purchased the bond.
“Mystic Valley Regional Charter School has a strong foundation of academic and athletic success, and the construction of a new athletics facility builds on that track record,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Robert L. Culver. “This low-cost financing will help students cultivate sound minds and sound bodies.”
Founded in 1998, Mystic Valley Regional Charter School serves kindergarten through 12th grade. Ninety-eight percent of the last graduating class was accepted to college. In 2009 Newsweek ranked it the 94th “Best High School in America” and U.S. News and World Report named it the 10th best International Baccalaureate high school in the country and in 2010 Newsweek ranked Mystic Valley among the top five high schools in Massachusetts. During the 2009-2010 season, Mystic Valley teams won two conference championships, made several state tournament appearances, and fielded individual athletes who received all-star and MVP recognitions for their achievements.
“Thanks to obtaining financing through MassDevelopment the school will be able to move forward with its plans and Mystic Valley’s students and children from throughout the community will be able to utilize a top flight facility,” said Rick Veilleux, Mystic Valley’s Business Manager.
Mystic Valley’s Treasurer, Fran Brown, added, “We have managed our budget and have been prudent which has allowed us to move forward in a very strategic and deliberate manner so as not to jeopardize the stability of the school or the education of our children.”
MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development authority, works with businesses, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2009, MassDevelopment financed or managed 229 projects statewide representing the investment of nearly $1.2 billion in the Massachusetts economy. posted 8/26

Benjamin Knack Chopped - Surprising as it may seem, both Autumn Lewis and Benjamin Knack were the latest victims of Gordon Ramsay's chopping block on Hell's Kitchen on FOX as they were eliminated from the competition on Tuesday. While they may be disappointed that they did not make it into the finale, neither one regrets a thing. We had a chance to sit down and chat with these two about their time on the show as well as what we can expect to see from them in the future. read the interview
Autumn and Benjamin sat down and gave me the scoop on their experience on Hell's Kitchen on FOX and in case you got the wrong impression of them while on the show, you couldn't me more wrong as these two were so sweet and down to earth. Autumn even informed us that Reality TV Magazine is her favorite site for catching up all on the latest reality news and gossip! Autumn, if you happen to read this, you got cut off from us yesterday and I did not have a chance to get your contact information to pass along to your fans! Drop us a line if you want us to add it for you and thank you for speaking with us! Now onto what these talented chefs wanted to share with us.
RTVM: Were you surprised that you were sent home and did you think you would make it into the finale next week?
Benjamin Knack: I was disappointed, but I am glad I got to go so far. All four of us did a great job and deserved it.
Autumn Lewis: I think we both had hoped it would have turned out differently. We would have liked to see the two of us going head to head. I am extremely proud of what I accomplished though.
RTVM: Ben, were you really just going quit and walk away?
Benjamin Knack: You know, I had back problems from the 5th or 6th episode so it was not new. I was in so much pain and I was really worried about being able to cook and perform to my full capacity.
Autumn Lewis: We have all had to work through problems while there, whether it be a burn or a cut, some of which is not shown. Although I do think they are starting to show more and more with all the new cooking shows coming out so people realize what a hard job it really is to work like that.
RTVM: So Ben, was it the words of wisdom from Gordon Ramsay that convinced you to stay?
Benjamin Knack: It was, absolutely. To hear from someone who is your idol, because he is my idol, just made me want to move on and keep going.
RTVM: How is Hell's Kitchen different from what you do everyday?
Benjamin Knack: I work at a French restaurant where we do about three to four hundred dishes a day, but there is no drama, everyone is a cook and we are like a family. We all come together because we have a job to do. I mean, on Hell's Kitchen the focus is on us, the contestants, while trying to give the diners a good experience. In my restaurant we are focused on the customers only.
RTVM: So how is it working under Gordon Ramsay?
Autumn Lewis: It's a lot of pressure but we know that he is only trying to make us better and keep us from making the same mistakes. It's ironic because people watching may think why are we making these silly mistakes, but you don't realize the amount of pressure and how it gets to you. Things that you would normally not make a mistake on, you start making mistakes with due to that pressure.
Benjamin Knack: I agree and it is intense with him screaming at you, but it's part of what we are used to. It's a lot of pressure you experience from the rush of dinner service but I love it and a lot of chefs are adrenaline junkies when it comes to that rush. We are fueled by that intensity and it pays off when we put out great food.
RTVM: Do you both think you were portrayed properly while on the show or is something that you would us to know about you that they didn't show us?
Benjamin Knack: I know a lot of people thought I was cocky, but I was not cocky just confident in what I do. Anything that they showed me saying on the show, I would say to your face as well. I'm just confident in my skills and I am in fact very approachable and certainly would not cross lines with someone I don't know.
Autumn Lewis: [chuckles] But what about Siobhan, Ben?
Benjamin Knack: With Siobhan, I was straight up about her food, I was not going to sugar coat it.
RTVM: I think Fran thought you had it in for her as well Ben?
Autumn Lewis: Fran hated everyone and she took everything personally. Have you noticed that the people who took everything personally were eliminated one by one? You need to above all that and just focus on the food and great work.
Benjamin Knack: I agree, but there were also some great cooks there. Ed and Jason for example were both great cooks. I talk with Jason all the time, we visit each other's restaurants. But it is also the drama that makes the show, people crave that drama and without it, it would be just an ordinary cooking show.
RTVM: So what is next for you both?
Benjamin Knack: I am a chef in Boston and will continue that. I am always looking for new opportunities. One thing people don't know about me is that I cook with children, teaching families how to involve their children in cooking. I love when they come together as a family through cooking. You can all keep up with me at chefbenknack.com.
Autumn got disconnected at this point so we were unable to hear her future plans or get her contact information for her fans. Again, Autumn if you happen to read this, please let us know if you have a website or fan page where we can keep up with you!

Mom delivers baby in Malden Police parking lot - A police officer helped a mother deliver her baby in the parking lot of the Malden Police Department. Officer Michael Casaletto received an unusual call early Sunday morning when he received word that a mother was giving birth on Malden City Hall Plaza. Casaletto rushed to the scene and found the parents in their car and the baby turning blue. “I just helped, as the mother and father did most of the work,” said Casaletto. “Checked her mouth. I did a finger sweep. On her own she started turning pink, so she started looking good and her eyes opened. So I was happy with that.” “We think that the baby possibly could have died, so he was very quick to help us out,” said Lewdorsey Williams, the father. After his wife’s water broke, the nervous husband attempted to drive his family to Tufts Medical Center, but didn’t make it in time, ending up at Malden’s City Hall Plaza. “I didn’t wanna risk going all the way to Boston, since I was in Malden, and I knew that seconds could make a difference, and it did in this case,” said Williams. Casaletto arrived to the scene so fast, he helped the new baby take her first breath. Now, Adrianna is resting peacefully with her mother at Tufts Medical Center. “Thank you very much for helping our baby,” said mother Rosalina Williams in a message to casaletto. It was all in a day’s work for Casaletto. “I’m just doing my job, doing what I’m trained to do,” said Casaletto.

Robots come to the Senior Center - There are always many wonderful projects going on at Malden's Senior Center. The Executive Director, Christine DiPietro and her staff provide excellent ongoing services to seniors and also conduct many special projects. One such project started last fall and has just completed. It was a study by students at MIT to find the best design of robot faces. The group selected several cities around the area and set up for a few days at each senior center. "This group from MIT and Toyota just dropped in to see me, said Christine. "I thought their project was very interesting and we had the space to help them out with their study" The robots arrived over the weekend and a space was set up for them. Several of the youth workers at the had an opportunity to assist. "I went to other classes and groups of people to attract test subjects for the project. We filled a schedule of interested seniors willing to sit and be interviewed," said Chris.
The project was described as finding effective methods whereby robots might help seniors. Robot could assist with simple chores around the house, but the faces need to be well designed. The study group which included Jun Ki Lee, Joanne Shih and Haeyeon Lee felt confident that they could determine the most acceptable face design for their robot applications. Seniors sat, one at a time and answered questions given by the robot. The reaction of each one, to the facial expressions of the robot, were then recorded. Jun Ki Lee explained that some test subjects found the faces and movement humorous, while others were a bit "freaked-out." Christine felt that the interaction brought more awareness to the seniors of new types of technology and how they can help people. It was also helpful in expanding the seniors imagination as well as being educational and fun. The study group was happy with the turnout and grateful for the opportunity to work at the Malden Senior Center. The robot testing ran for several weeks before moving on. The results are in. "From what I heard, the study results were positive. I don't think they think this robot is ready to help them now, but maybe in the future. I am glad we participated," said Chris

D'Arcangelo gets award from Suffolk
Malden High gets clean enery funds - Malden has been awarded $17,193 towards installation of a photovoltaic system at Malden High School from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (CEC), according to State Sen. Richard Tisei and state representatives Paul Donato, Chris Fallon and Stephen “Stat” Smith. This project will reduce energy costs for the Malden school system and provide the city with an educational example of clean energy use. “This is an initial step, with the assistance from CEC, in reducing the high school’s carbon footprint. Its funding is a good start in the ‘green’ direction,” said Rep. Fallon. The funding comes as a result of efforts by citizens of Malden to purchase clean energy through their electric utility bills, which generated matching funds from the CEC for use toward clean energy projects. “Becoming more energy efficient helps the environment as well as local budgets,” said Sen. Tisei. “I am impressed with the efforts of the people of Malden to better their community.” Dozens of other communities are also using this matching funding for projects such as solar electric arrays, solar trash compactors, renewable energy educational materials, and other renewable energy projects and related materials. Learn more about clean energy assistance available for Massachusetts towns and cities by visiting DOER’s Green Communities Web site: mass.gov/doer. press release
D’Arcangelo, a 1996 graduate of Suffolk University, is currently the managing director of Arc Angel Communications in Malden. The company specializes in public relations, marketing communications, and public affairs throughout Massachusetts. "As the recipient of the Communication and Journalism Young Alumnus Award, David D’Arcangelo exemplifies the spirit of Lou Connelly, for whom the honor is named," said Robert Rosenthal, chairman of the Communication and Journalism Department at Suffolk University. "He has consistently given back to society and to the university through his volunteer work, and has mentored a number of Suffolk students, providing guidance and sage advice." D’Arcangelo resides in Malden with his wife, Lisa, and their daughter, Isabella

Council approves property tax increase and exemptions - At Tuesday's Council meeting an increase to property taxes was approved. Mayor Howard and the Mass Department of Revenue must approved the change. The new residential rate will jump to $12.39 per $1,000 of assessed value, up from $9.91. Owner-occupied homes will receive a 20 percent exemption, up from 10 percent. The average tax bill for the year for a single-family home will be $2,896 with the exemption, and $3,769. without it, according to city estimates. The average single family home in Malden is valued at $304,241. The average condominium bill will be $1,786 with the exemption, and $2,659 without it. The average condominium in the city is valued at $214,646. The city expects to grant just over 8,000 exemptions in the coming year. On the commercial side, the rate will jump from $18.17 to $21.38 per $1,000 of assessed value.

MV Key Club earns district honors - Last weekend, fourteen representatives of the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School’s 87-member Key Club attended the New England District of Key Clubs Educational Conference. The annual event, held in Springfield, MA, provides training sessions for Key Club members and recognizes the New England clubs that exceed expectations. Before a crowd of more than 1,100 Key Club and Kiwanis members, advisors, and representatives the Mystic Valley Key Club earned the second place Yearly Achievement award in the Platinum Division (clubs with more than 85 members). “The Yearly Achievement award is significant because it recognizes clubs that are consistent and effective all year long,” said Key Club advisor Alex Dan. “This is particularly exciting because our club competed against very large Key Clubs, some with up to 200 members. It is truly a testament to the efforts of all of our members.” The club also earned awards for Total Money Donated to District Projects (second place) and Dollars Per Member (also second place). The club’s representatives presented the New England District Governor with a check for over $4,000 during Saturday night’s awards ceremony. The district will distribute that money evenly to the three District Projects: the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center, Camp Sunshine, and Children of Peace International. The Mystic Valley Key Club will now focus on producing its annual Pastapalooza celebration, which is scheduled for May 20.

Winners located - It took a full court press, but the winners of the bike raffle held at the YMCA Healthy Kids day last month have been found! MaldenHomepage, Pisa Pizza, Ryan Amusements, Playful Paws Doggie Daycare, Hugh O'Neill's, Dairy Delight and Island Breeze Tanning and Spa all teamed up at a community table to support Malden's youth safety programs. Each year, these companies raffle two new bikes to go along with the thousands of helmets that are distributed free of charge. The lucky and excited two winners are Becky Quigley and David Cartledge. Not only did they pick up their bikes, but the families were treated to dinner by Joe Crowley of Pisa Pizza. Pictured Elizabeth & David Cartledge, Joe Crowley, Linda Cassia, Patti & Becky Quigley.

The need to focus on Fells' natural resources - continued - In 1991 the Mass. Audubon Society submitted comments to the state that bike use on Fells hiking trails would erode narrow and steep trails and cause "significant damage to natural systems…pose a hazard to hikers" and prevent park visitors from enjoying "a quiet natural experience" without the hazard of being hit by bike riders. Mass Audubon wrote of the state's "responsibility to protect the Reservation's natural character and features for all citizens of the Commonwealth."
Ultimately Fells bike use was authorized by the predecessor agency to the DCR based on two conditions: effective Fells ranger enforcement of regulations to restrict bike riding to the thirty five miles of Fells trails and fire roads, and compliance with the rules by bikers. This authorization was to be reviewed after one year, a review which has never been performed. The two conditions set forth in 1991 – enforcement and compliance - have never been met. Staffing for trail use enforcement has been absent in the Fells, and as a result, many of the narrow Fells hiking trails have been converted by knobby tires into eroded gullies, and wildflower and animal habitats have been decimated along trail margins, with bikers riding cross-country creating new trails at will. With so much damage already done, many are convinced that the unique nature of the Fells is on the verge of being destroyed.

MHS athletes win citizenship awards - Northeastern University’s Center for the Study of Sport in Society and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association invited four top student-athletes from Malden High School to attend the Fourteenth Annual Massachusetts Student-Athlete Citizenship Awards Ceremony. The awards ceremony and program are designed to recognize Massachusetts high school student-athletes who have demonstrated excellence in three disciplines: academics, athletics and citizenship. Honored from Malden High School were sophomore Dan Holmqvist, junior Alexandra Mathieu, junior Kaela Bryan, and senior Aaron Gladden. The theme of this year’s event was “Future Leaders: Setting a Positive Example.” The ceremony was held on Tuesday, April 13th, in the Curry Student Center Ballroom at Northeastern University. Master of Ceremonies was WBZ news reporter, Eileen Curran. Opening remarks were lead by Sport in Society Executive Director, Dan Lebowitz. The Keynote speaker was Brigadier General Thomas J. Sellars, Commander, Land Component Command-Massachusetts Army National Guard. Closing remarks were made by Northeastern Athletic Director Peter Roby

DiPietro - it's time to make a decision on City Hall - Incoming City Council President Paul DiPietro says he and his colleagues must commit soon to either relocating City Hall or sprucing up the existing facility at 200 Pleasant St. And if councilors choose the latter, DiPietro said, they could set aside renovation money this session, which begins Tuesday. "I would think we might actually be forced to," DiPietro said. He voted in favor of a plan - which failed 6-5 in 2008 - to move City Hall next to Jenkins Auditorium as part of the Malden High renovations. DiPietro said that in light of the current fiscal woes, he'd be open to renovating City Hall, which he said needs upgrades to the elevators, windows, and the roof, among other areas. But still, he said, the foundation of the brick facility remains strong. "It's built well," he said. "It's built like a fortress, I can tell you that. We can do some amazing stuff [architecturally]. Look what they've done to Fenway Park." DiPietro said his other priorities will include measures to improve operations in the treasurer's office and prevent layoffs in the municipal workforce - a tall order with more local aid cuts expected from Beacon Hill, he said. "I don't know if we can get out of [layoffs]," DiPietro said. By Travis Andersen

Temple to stay in Malden - continued “We're really working on marketing and getting our name out there.” On its website, Tifereth Israel emphasizes its “inclusive and diverse climate” that welcomes innovation while honoring tradition. The temple operates a religious school for students in prekindergarten through 10th grade and offers adult educational programs to the public. Its Salem Street building is also home to Malden's Tri-CAP Head Start Program. Like many religious organizations, Tifereth Israel has watched its congregation shrink in recent years while costs continue to escalate. The decision to explore selling the 20,000 square-foot building came three years ago after several members requested a reduction in their dues and fuel costs made upkeep more expensive than ever, Cherkas said. “It seemed to be a bit overwhelming at one point,” she said of the building. The temple received a fair amount of interest in the property and one party made an offer that prompted the Board of Trustees to seek legal counsel, Cherkas said. Tifereth Israel ultimately withdrew from the deal after the buyer requested it to vacate the premises three months after the sale was finalized.
“We couldn't have uprooted an entire community in three months,” Cherkas said. “It's a process.” The Board's decision to take the Salem Street property off the market was spurred partially by its inability to secure a satisfactory buyer but also by the results of a report issued by Combined Jewish Philanthropies that ranked Malden as having the highest percentage of Jewish residents among communities north of Boston. Although the percentage is still lower than it was in years past, Cherkas said remaining in Malden makes sense for the congregation. Currently, Tifereth Israel serves 120 families and 29 students attend its religious school. Rabbi David Kudan was hired last fall and Cherkas became president last July. The temple will celebrate its 80th anniversary in the spring, and Cherkas can think of no better place to honor the milestone than in the halls she grew up in. “I walk through the classrooms and I still get chills,” she said.

Malden Assessor response - The following is a press release from Robert Donnelly, Chairman of the Board of Assessors, in response to a Dec. 22 press release from the Malden Taxpayers for Accountability. In this release, Donnelly wants to call taxpayer attention to several inaccuracies in the MTFA statement.
They said: The Malden Taxpayers for Accountability wants to laud the City Council and Controller for the increase in this year's property tax exemption for home owners that live in Malden and own their own home. - In fact: The City Controller has no authority to create a Residential Exemption. Under Massachusetts General Laws only the Mayor with the approval of the City Council may adopt a Residential Exemption.
They said: The 16,000 non-exempt property owners will pay an additional estimate of $13.9 million dollars. - In fact: There are only 12,524 residential taxpayers in the City of Malden. Even if one factors in Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property taxpayers, the total number of property taxpayers in the City of Malden is 13,890. Their contention that there will be an additional $13.9 million dollars is erroneous. The Residential Exemptions being returned to owner-occupants will total $7,000,000.
They said: When threats and (sic) are being made by the Mayor's Office of city services being cut if certain programs are eliminated (sic). These types of comments should be viewed with skepticism. After this exemption, the residential property tax is an increase of approximately 15% as the taxpayer's watchdog group estimates an additional 3.5 to 4.5 million dollars is added to the city's budget. - In fact: In Fiscal Year 2009, the City of Malden was authorized by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue to collect $60,095,900 in taxes from the taxpayers of Malden. For FY2010 the number, pursuant to Proposition 2½, was increased to $62,347,717, a difference of $2,251,817. This represents an increase of 3.75% NOT 15% as stated in the MTFA press release. As chairman of the Board of Assessors, I believe it was important to set the record straight and present the taxpayers of Malden with accurate information.

High School Renovation gets state funds continued - The renovation of Malden High School is an important construction project for this community, and I am pleased to present this check," state Treasurer Tim Cahill said. "The MSBA's Progress Payment system will save Malden approximately $31 million in avoided local interest costs. This money will go a long way toward improving the teaching and learning environment for Malden students and faculty in a cost-effective way," said Katherine Craven, MSBA executive director. Malden continues to benefit from a strong relationship that has been maintained throughout the years between the local and state officials," said state Rep. Christopher Fallon. I am pleased with the much needed funds for the renovation to Malden High School," said state Rep. Paul J. Donato. "The timely reimbursement is important to the city of Malden, particularly in these tough economic times."
The MSBA is collaborating with municipalities to equitably invest $2.5 billion in schools across the commonwealth by finding the right-sized, most fiscally responsible and educationally appropriate solutions to create safe and sound learning environments. The MSBA is committed to protecting the taxpayer's dollar by improving the school building grant process and avoiding the mistakes of the past in the funding and construction of school facilities. The MSBA has reformed the commonwealth's formerly rampant and unsustainable program, which had accumulated $11 billion in debt.
To date, the MSBA has made approximately $6.5 billion in reimbursements to cities, towns and regional school districts for school construction projects. These timely payments have saved municipalities over $2.9 billion in avoided local interest costs and have provided much needed cash flow to municipalities in these difficult economic times.