Message From Mayor Carlo DeMaria

Happy New Year, Everett! I hope you all were able to enjoy the holiday season with friends, family, and loved ones. I'm so glad that we were able to celebrate the season with our annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Menorah Lighting events this past December, which I hope you were able to attend with us. It's always wonderful to see our community come together, especially during the holiday season.

As we start fresh in the new year, we have some new and recurring initiatives that are important to note. First, don't forget to apply for a new resident parking sticker before February 28 to receive one for free. Second, Homeowners can contact our Assessor's Office to ensure you are taking advantage of a program that can reduce your home's taxable value. Lastly, be sure to stop by the Parlin Memorial Library every other Wednesday to meet with staff from my office and discuss any questions, concerns, or thoughts you may have. More information about all of these opportunities are below.

With winter in full swing, please be sure to check in on your neighbors. As we all know, temperatures can drop really low this time of year making it dangerous for our most vulnerable residents. In the event of a significant snow event and the decision is made to declare a snow parking ban, please note that parking will only be allowed on the odd side of the street where normally two-sided parking is allowed this year.

This month, we are proud to recognize and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his incredible work towards the Civil Rights Movement. May Dr. King's message of unity and togetherness shine through as we reflect on his work, what he stood for, and what he said.

I'd like to thank you for joining our newsletter and ask that you please share the sign-up link with others in our community. We hope this will be a great way for residents to stay engaged with what is happening in our community and informed about the programs, initiatives, and events we have to offer.

Thanks for reading!

Carlo

EHS student Trevon Carrington received 2025 MLK Scholarship award

The Zion Church Ministries community and the City of Everett gathered together on Monday, January 20 at the Connolly Center to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The 19th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Breakfast was once again well attended by residents, local officials, and members of the Zion Church Ministries community.

Each year, the Senior Pastor of Zion Church Ministries, Bishop Robert G. Brown, awards a scholarship in the name of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to an individual or individuals who most represent the values, ethics, and community dedication exemplified by Dr. King throughout his life as the greatest Civil Rights leader of our time. This year’s recipient for the 2025 MLK Scholarship was Everett’s own Trevon T. Carrington.

“They could not have picked a more deserving recipient” said Mayor Carlo DeMaria. “Trevon is the embodiment of true community spirit and one of the brightest young men I have ever met. He actively volunteers for community initiatives, including food pantries, clothing drives and all of our City events. I’m very proud of him.”

He will be graduating this year from Everett High School (EHS) with a GPA of 3.9 and has served as president of the Culinary Art's program and vice president of Student Ambassadors. He is an inductee of the National Honor Society, where he serves on multiple committees and boards.

Everyone in attendance also had the pleasure of seeing the City of Everett’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Cathy Draine, receive the MLK Service Recognition Award for the positive contributions she and her team have made since joining the City government in 2021.

Speakers at the breakfast included Bishop Robert G. Brown, Mayor Carlo DeMaria, State Senator Sal DiDomenico, State Representative Judith Garcia, City Council President Stephanie Martins, and Keynote speaker Dr. Zebulon Miletsky, an associate professor and graduate program director for the Department of Africana Studies at Stony Brook University of New York. The Everett High School Chorale, led by Cory Crowfoot, and the Zion Praise team, led by Bishop Regina Shearer with accompaniment by musician Adam Littlejohn, delivered moving renditions of traditional hymns and songs throughout the breakfast, much to the crowd’s delight.

Residents have until February 28 to receive a sticker for free, so don’t wait

The $10 fee per sticker will be reinstated on March 1. Payments made online through City Hall Systems via e-check will no longer incur a fee on any transaction. For questions regarding the program or the online application, please contact the Constituent Services Department at 617-394-2270 or the Collector's Office at 617-394-2275. If you have questions regarding your sticker order status, please contact City Hall Systems at 508-381-5455.

When applying online for the resident sticker, you may receive an email that the system does not recognize the address. In this case, the Collector’s office will add the address into the system and then respond to the email notifying the address has been added. At this point, the resident may re-apply for the sticker online.

A Great Opportunity for Homeowners

Did you know that Everett is one of the cities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that offers a residential exemption to owners, reducing your home's taxable value? Ask about residential exemption and learn more by contacting the Assessor's Office at 617-394-2205.

Report non-emergency issues to the Everett Police Department through phone, text, and an online form

The City of Everett, in collaboration with the Everett Police Department (EPD), has launched the See Something, Say Something service for constituents to report non-emergency related issues to the Everett Police.

In an effort to increase accessibility to City services, constituents can now report concerns or issues such as noise complaints, property damage, litter or graffiti, wellness checks, and more to the Everett police by calling or texting 781-734-6677. Additionally, reports can be made online by visiting go.elerts.com/Everett and filling out the form. Before submitting a report, the constituent will be asked about the nature and location of the report, as well as have the option to include a photo.

Constituents are encouraged to save the phone number to their contacts and bookmark the website link to fill out an online form.

A Chance for Residents to Meet with the Mayor's Office

Want to share questions, concerns, or thoughts with the City of Everett? Connect with the Office of Mayor DeMaria at the Parlin Memorial Library from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. every other Wednesday. To know when the next office hours will be held, please visit the City of Everett's online calendar. Questions? Call 617-944-0210 or email Phil.Massa@ci.everett.ma.us.

During Snow Parking Bans, Residents Should Park on the ODD Side of the Street

Winter is upon us and that means it's important to be prepared in the event a snow parking ban is in effect. please note that during snow parking bans, residents should park on the odd side of the street. For streets with one-sided parking, remain on the designated side. There is no parking allowed on either side of main roads. For more information about the 2024-2025 snow season including snow removal ordinances and where municipal parking lots are located, please click below.

Residents have until March 31 to avoid the $10 late fee

The Office of the City Clerk would like to remind residents that the deadline to register a dog with the City of Everett is Monday, March 31. Registering your dog after the deadline will result in a $10 late fee.

• The cost to register a dog that is spayed or neutered is $10.
• If the dog has not been altered, the cost is $15.
• If the resident chooses not to register their dog, they shall be subject to a fine.

For questions or concerns, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at 617-394-2225.

For the application and more information, click the button below.

Office hours take place every third Thursday of the month

The City of Everett is hosting Housing Families, Inc. for legal services office hours for Everett residents every third Thursday of the month from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Everett City Hall (484 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149) on the second floor, Room 25.

A range of services are offered, including:

• Assistance with paperwork for court.
• Limited representation.
• Full representation.
• Advocacy.
• Eviction defense.
• Brief advice.
• referrals.

No appointment is required and walk-ins are welcome.

Office hours for Everett residents in need of rental or utility assistance

CONNECT at the Neighborhood Developers and the City of Everett have partnered to offer dedicated office hours for residents in need of rental or utility assistance every Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Everett City Hall (484 Broadway) in Room 27, which is attached to Room 25 on the second floor.

A resident should attend if:

• You have received a notice to quit or a court notice stating you need to leave your home.
• You have received a shutoff notice from your utilities.
• You need to move urgently due to a housing crisis.
• You are currently without a permanent home.

Program provides financial assistance to eligible individuals and families in Everett, helping them overcome financial barriers to homeownership

The First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program has been revised to offer a $20,000 grant for eligible first-time homebuyer residents.

For questions or more information, please contact the Planning and Community Development Department at 617-394-2452 or email Everett.FTHB@ci.everett.ma.us.

Transportation Service for Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities

Did you know that a social transportation service is available for older adults and persons with disabilities residing Everett? Provided by Door2Door by SCM, rides are available within Everett and to border communities including Chelsea, Revere, Malden, Medford, and Somerville.

Riders may call the reservations department at 617-625-1191 and press 2 for reservations between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays excluding holidays two weeks to two business days in advance.

Social rides will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis Mondays through Fridays excluding holidays. Space is limited. Initial funding is limited so every request may not be accommodated, but those that are unable to be provided will be tracked. Door2Door Transportation asks riders to please be patient as they work through the kinks that are bound to arise with this new service.

Shuttle to Target at Gateway Center

Through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), Door2Door Transportation is piloting a shuttle service to Target at Gateway Center weekly on Mondays. Older adults and persons with disabilities who reside in Everett are invited to try out this new service.

Riders may call the reservations department at 617-625-1191 and press 2 for reservations between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays excluding holidays. Rides may be booked two weeks to two business days in advance on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Target shuttle will take up to ten people to the store by picking up between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and arriving by 11:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The van will return at 1 p.m. to return folks to their homes. Shoppers can bring three bags, boxes, or other items each. Drivers will assist riders with their purchases to the door of their building. Door2Door Transportation asks riders to please be patient as they work through the kinks that are bound to arise in a new service.

City of Everett Wins Buildings UP Phase 2 Prize

As one of two Northeast winners, the City of Everett was awarded the Phase 2 prize of the Buildings Upgrade Prize (Buildings UP) from the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP).

The City of Everett is collaborating with six local Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to develop the Electrify Everett initiative, which is leveraging Massachusetts state incentives and overcoming linguistic and cultural barriers to electrification. In partnership with La Comunidad Inc., the team is working on garnering utility support, hosting educational opportunities, and developing energy saving products to create healthy and decarbonized homes for frontline communities.

Just over a year ago, NEEP kicked off the second phase of an extensive Prize “Coop-etition” called the Buildings Upgrade Prize (Buildings UP).The project is a collaboration of the Regional Energy Efficiency Organizations (REEOs), the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), a slew of technical experts, and 45 community-based teams. These 45 teams, which won the first of four possible sources of funding, all share one thing in common – a compelling, innovative, and actionable idea to launch a community-focused building retrofit initiative. Each phase of the Buildings UP Prize awards teams with money and technical expertise for moving their project closer to full scale implementation. Teams are encouraged to work together and share resources along their journeys, hence the term “coop-etition” instead of “competition.”

Main Street Meadow Project

The City is working to transform a heat island into an oasis for native birds, butterflies, bees, and neighbors! This project will help to cool one of the city’s hottest heat islands next to the Sweetser Circle / RT 16 Rotary. Shade from gardens and trees will cool the area and create a destination to visit, enjoy, and connect with the community.

We’re planning for:

• New sidewalks, crossings, seating, and stairs.
• A native trees, pollinators, wildflowers, and sensory gardens.
• A gazebo and informational kiosk.
• Two nature-inspired murals.

To learn more and stay updated about the Main Street Meadow Project, please click the button below.

Thanks to our Water Department Team for Making Swift Repairs

This past December, a large 16 inch water main on Kelvin Street broke. Our Water Department quickly sprang into action to assess the break, remove the broken piece, and repair the water main to swiftly restore water service to the area. Their hard work and dedication are truly appreciated, and we're fortunate to have such a skilled team that is committed to serving our community and keeping our city moving forward.

City Offices Closed Monday, February 17 as Everett Observes Washington's Birthday

City offices will be closed to the public on Monday, Feb. 17, as Everett observes the Washington’s Birthday holiday. City offices will re-open on Tuesday, Feb. 18, and City Hall will have extended hours for residents (8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.).

Observed on the third Monday in February, Washington’s Birthday is a federal holiday in the United States that celebrates the birth of America’s first president George Washington. Commonly referred to as Presidents’ Day, the holiday also celebrates all those who have served as presidents of the United States.

Trash Delay

Monday’s observance will delay trash and recycling pickup by one day during the week of the holiday. Please place your trash and recycling bins neatly on the sidewalk on the day after your regularly scheduled pickup for this week only.

If you have any questions, please call the Constituent Services Department by dialing 311 or 617-394-2270.

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