A Merry Christmas to all our readers
Vol. 20, No. 51
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Friday, December 22, 2017
A Toy Story at Salem Towers New rules for old buildings By Barbara Taormina alden is considering a new ordinance that will provide some protection for the city’s historic buildings, structures, monuments and sites. The City Council put off taking a final vote on the proposed Demolition Delay Ordinance, which would authorize Malden’s Historical Commission to delay demolition permits for historically and culturally significant buildings for 12 months. The waiting period allows the city and property owners time to explore ways to preserve, restore and rehabilitate the properties. “The ordinance would allow a review by the Historical Commission of any significant buildings that are of cultural or historical value to the community,� said Ward 4 Councillor Ryan O’Malley. “I think this is something our residents are keenly aware of. I think we do see a lot of our historical buildings being demolished. Maldonians want to see their culture and heritage preserved.� Although the City Council supported the goals of the new ordinance, they followed the rec-
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Salem Towers residents Brenda Abrama, Evie Kayser, Buddy Kayser, Laurel Gordon, Xi Yen Leung, Patti Desiderio, Marcia Elliott and Mary Ann Norton celebrate the success of this year’s holiday toy drive organized by the building’s 280 Club.
By Barbara Taormina ollowing fast on the heels of a successful Thanksgiving food drive, the seniors at Salem Towers were back at it again this week with a toy drive to help make sure that all Malden kids will have something under the tree this Christmas (or
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something special for the holidays?). “We filled two six-foot tables with coloring books, crayons, teddy bears, games, story books, Spiderman stuff; it was a mix of everything,� said Patti Desiderio, who heads up the building’s 280 Club, which organizes events and activities for residents. And what really draws in the Salem Towers crowd are community service projects like the holiday food and toy drives. “Right after Thanksgiving, we cleaned up the can drive, and I put up a sign for toys,� said Desiderio. And all sorts of toys for children and gift cards and gadgets for tweens and teens
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started rolling in. Desiderio collected and stored donations in her apartment and soon found herself living in the middle of an obstacle course of toys. “It was all worth it because there are going to be kids that will be very happy next week,� she said. But this week, there are some very happy seniors who know their gifts and contributions are heading out to make the holidays a little brighter for their neighbors in need. The 280 Club works with Sgt. Raisa Builes, who coordinates the U.S. Marine Corps’Toys for Tots program in Malden. “People who participate love to make people happy,� said Desiderio. “Every year a few more people join in.� And every year, the same holiday spirit surrounds the 280 Club’s toy drive. Residents drop off donations quickly and quietly, without any fanfare. People give for the genuine joy of giving. For Desiderio, the gifts from the people in her building, especially the small ones, capture the best part of the holiday. “When someone spends a $5 at a dollar store for a few small gifts, you know that person gave what they have, and they gave it from their heart,� she said.
ommendation of Ward 3 Councillor John Matheson, who advised fellow councillors to send the eight pages of regulations back to the Rules & Ordinance Committee for some tightening and tweaking. According to Councillor-atLarge Debbie DeMaria, the Demolition Delay Ordinance being considered is a combination of two different drafts, one crafted by City Planner Michelle Romero and the other put together by Rules & Ordinance Committee Chairman Craig Spadafora. Much of the ordinance closely mirrors the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s model for demolition delay bylaws, which have been adopted in cities and towns throughout the state. According to the proposed ordinance, any buildings slated for demolition that are listed on or located in areas listed on the National Register Historic Places, or buildings that are eligible for those designations, are subject to review by the Historical Commission. Buildings that have been surveyed by the city or the Historical Commission ac-
RULES | SEE PAGE 15
Hospital Redevelopment Committee is ready to roll By Barbara Taormina hristmas came early this week for residents hoping that community needs and interests will be at the forefront in discussions about the Malden Hospital site. The City Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on the Malden Hospital Site Development met for the first time to define some broad goals and set a schedule for upcoming meetings. The committee will hold its first meeting on Jan. 16 and begin working toward a joint meeting with Medford’s Ad Hoc Committee on the Malden Hospital. Medford
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created that committee back in 2016 to study the impact the redevelopment of the land would have on the surrounding neighborhood. “We want to talk to Medford and bring everyone together on the same page,� said Ward 3 Councillor John Matheson, who had proposed creating Malden’s committee back in November. Matheson is heading up the committee, which also includes Councillors Debbie DeMaria, Craig Spadafora and David Camell and Prisco Tammaro,
HOSPITAL | SEE PAGE 3
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