MHS 2017 Senior Prom
Vol. 20, No. 24
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ity Council President Peg Crowe opened the public hearing on next year’s city budget around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday night, and by 7:33 she tapped her gavel and closed it. Nobody came to speak in favor, and nobody came to speak against Mayor Gary Christenson’s $180.2 million proposal, which increases city spending by about $6.9 million over this year’s $173.2 million budget. City councillors, who have been reviewing the budget for several weeks, composed a short list of minor changes and recommendations to send to Christenson. In addition to several small salary adjustments for city employees, councillors are asking the mayor to restore $20,000 for Fellsmere Pond Restoration that was cut from next year’s budget. Although Fellsmere Park is owned by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, the city has been investing in the pond’s upkeep. “DCR has shirked its maintenance responsibility and the city should not do the same,� said
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Ward 3 Councillor John Matheson. He said there are a lot of fallen trees in the park, and the fountains, which typically need some maintenance, can cost $10,000 to fix. Councillors agreed with Ward 5 Councillor Barbara Murphy, who asked for some small changes to the council’s own $343,148 legislative budget which includes $300,113 for salaries and $43,035 for operating costs. They are recommending that $50,000 of the $150,000 proposed for professional services be shifted to their operating budget. They are also asking for $2,500 for official City Council photographs. But beyond those requests, there were no major debates or disagreements about the 2018 budget proposal. It was a sharp contrast from last year’s budget review, which kicked off in March 2016 with City Controller Charles Ranaghan’s five-year forecast that predicted annual deficits of $7 million to $10 million if Malden continued to increase spending by about 2.5 percent each year. Last year, the
BUDGET | SEE PAGE 5
Friday, June 16, 2017
Forestdale Park invites the city in for a look
City’s 2018 budget banks on the future By Barbara Taormina
617-387-2200
See pages 12&13
Forestdale Park Executive Director Dinah Olanoff describes some of the services and programs that will be offered at the new assisted living community.
By Barbara Taormina cFadden Manor is midway through its transformation into Forestdale Park Assisted Living & Memory Care Facility, and this week city officials had a chance to tour several completed apartments and learn about services that will be available to residents. The rooms in the former nursing home are being converted into charming studios, one-bedroom apartments and
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Our 80th Year
a handful of two-bedroom units. In addition to an on-site restaurant that serves three meals a day, there will be a bistro and lounge. Residents will also have access to other facility features, such as a fitness center, library, card and computer rooms, a creative arts center and a full-service salon. “There will 59 assisted living units, 18 units for residents who need memory support and three traditional senior housing units,� explained Di-
nah Olanoff, Forestdale Park’s executive director. The level of support services will vary according to each resident’s individual health and wellness plan. Olanoff said some people prefer to remain independent members of an extended assisted-living community. Still, resident care associates, a community nurse and personal care assistants are available when needed. Forestdale will also offer different types of treatment for residents coping with memory loss and cognitive impairment. Those with early or mild symptoms live in private apartments and receive support that promotes independence, social and emotional well-being. Residents with advanced symptoms enter a more structured program with adult-learning classes, an exercise and nutrition program and activities designed to stimulate thinking, minimize negative behavior and slow the loss of memory and cognitive ability. For anyone with a loved one struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or oth-
NURSING HOME | SEE PAGE 10
City of Malden rededicates World War I Memorial
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Shown at the recent City of Malden World War I Memorial rededication ceremony at John M. Devir Park are Mayor Gary Christenson, former U.S. Ambassador to the Slovak Republic Todd Sedgwick – now Commissioner of the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission – Malden’s Veterans’ Services Officer, Kevin Jarvis, and the Chairman of the Veterans Committee at the Irish American Club, Butch Russell. See more photo highlights in next week’s Advocate. (Advocate photo by Al Terminiello)