GUARANTEED HOME DELIVERY EVERY WEEK
SEE PAGE 13 ECRWSS PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT #67
Peabody, MA POSTAL CUSTOMER
Vol. 3, No. 17
-FREE-
www.advocatenews.net
Info@advocatenews.net
978-777-6397
Friday, April 27, 2018
Israeli flag flies over city hall for Independence Day City to launch feasibility study for trolley line By Christopher Roberson
er or not the trolley should be owned by the MBTA or by a pritate officials recently agreed vate company. “There are several to fund a $50,000 feasibility different avenues that we need to study for a trolley line that would explore,” said Bellavance. After the initial assessment has run back and forth between Peabody Square and the Salem Com- been made, Bellavance said, Ahlmuter Rail Station. “It’s a gener- gren will be able to align Peabody al conversation that we’ve been with a larger consulting firm. Belhaving for several years,”said Curt lavance said the Request for ProBellavance, director of Communi- posal for the larger firm is expectty Development & Planning. “It’s ed to go out in late May or early a great opportunity; we’re trying June. He said the larger firm will to provide more public transpor- assist with things such as cost tation. There’s a need for it and a and establishing a construction timeline as well as marketing. will for it.” He said the trolley would be “We don’t want to operate anyparticularly beneficial not only thing that would be a loss,” said for tourists, but also for residents Bellavance. According to other media outwho do not have access to a car. Bellavance said he discussed lets, Mayor Edward Bettencourt the idea with MBTA officials, has addressed the inevitable who suggested that the city re- need for additional parking with tain consultant Lynn Ahlgren to a 65-space lot, which the city purwork on the overall “scope of ser- chased four years ago from the vices.”“She’s an expert in the field,” MBTA for $400,000. There have also been prelimihe said. One of the areas that the feasi- nary discussions about extending bility study will look at is wheth- the trolley line to Danvers as well.
S
Shown, from left to right, are Rabbi Nechemia Schusterman, director of the Chabad of Peabody Jewish Center, Rabbi Bernie Horowitz, ritual director of the Sons of Israel, Rabbi Richard Perlman of Temple Ner Tamid, Rabbi David Kudan of Temple Tiferet Shalom and Mayor Edward Bettencourt during the first Israeli Flag Raising at City Hall for Irsaeli Independence Day on April 20. See more photos on page 3. (Advocate photos by Christopher Roberson)
Peabody Chamber has strong showing at Multi-Chamber Bash
Insurance company to host cleanup for Peabody Bike Path Dawn Burnham, Rebecca Berman and Megan Long of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce are shown at the Multi-Chamber Bash held on April 18 at the Cabot Street Cinema Theatre in Beverly. See more photo highlights from the event on page 10. (Advocate Photo by Christopher Roberson)
Two wins bring Peabody LAX up to 4-4 season record
Peabody’s Najjar (center) outruns the Beverly players in his chase after a loose ball during the Tanners’ tight 12-11 home victory Tuesday evening. The win put Peabody at a 4-4 record for the season. See story and photos on page 7. (Advocate photo by Dave Sokol)
By Christopher Roberson
P
hilip Richard, owner of Phil Richard Insurance, is sponsoring a cleanup along 2.8 miles of the Peabody Bike Path this Saturday, April 28 at 8 a.m. “I walk the bike path a lot; I’ve scoped it out pretty well,”he said. During his walks, Richard said he has seen a number of deer, beavers, owls, geese and swans. However, he has also seen too many waste bags that residents leave behind after cleaning up after their dogs. Therefore, Richard recruited a group of Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts as well as DECA students from Peabody Veterans Memorial High School to assist with the cleanup effort. He said Jesse Jalbert of One Call Junk Haul has agreed to have one of his drivers on hand to collect and dispose of the trash. During the event, Richard said, the scouts will be picking up trash along the trail and installing waste stations at each of the seven trailheads.“The kids in the community are donat-
ing their time to make it a better natural resource,” he said. Although Richard was able to pay for the waste stations, he said he is looking for sponsors who are willing to raise $1,700 for additional trash barrels. Looking ahead, Richard said he would like to see a committee formed to protect both the Bike Path and Crystal Lake. He is also working to incorporate the Bike Path efforts with Stage II of the Crystal Lake Project. In addition to urging residents to clean up after their dogs, Richard is hoping the bike path can continue to be used during the winter months for activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. “We hope to have a ribbon cutting with the lake’s official opening sometime in the summer,” said Richard. In terms of marketing, Richard said DECA students Sophia Vasconcelos, Kristina Rossignol and Olivia O’Connor have been providing updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.