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charm
Senior Member
264 Posts |
 Posted - 01/11/2009 : 06:39:31 AM
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With federal aid, police using more video
By John Laidler, Globe Correspondent | January 11, 2009
When Salem's streets filled with revelers this past Halloween, police kept a close eye on the activity. But it wasn't just officers on the street who did the monitoring.
Using five surveillance video cameras recently installed at different locations downtown, police inside the station were also able to watch the celebrations on computer screens.
"It gave us a really good overview of what was going on in the downtown areas during the entire night," said Lieutenant Mary Butler.
Salem, which also installed three cameras on its common in 2006, is not alone in tapping video technology to fight crime. Chelsea, Everett, and Revere all installed police surveillance cameras in public areas several years ago and are adding more, while Winthrop recently installed some video cameras.
"It's just taking advantage of technology," said Salem Mayor Kimberley L. Driscoll. "We will never be able to put a police officer on every corner . . . but with this technology, we can put our eyes and ears" in places where no officer is present.
"It's one more tool we can put on our tool belt to help us try to thwart any issues," said Winthrop Police Chief David B. Goldstein.
The cameras deployed by police are mounted on poles, buildings, and other infrastructure. Images are transmitted wirelessly to the police station, where they can be watched live or on tape later. Police can pan and zoom in on the images.
Salem funded its cameras on the common through a $100,000 bond authorized by the City Council in 2006. Its most recent cameras were funded with the remainder of that bond and state community policing money.
Regional grants from the US Department of Homeland Security funded 71 cameras in local communities in 2004 and 2006 - 44 in Boston, 10 in Chelsea, 10 in Everett, and seven in Revere. Chelsea added 21 more by using city funds. .
With additional Homeland Security money, 95 more cameras will be installed in nine communities, including nine apiece in Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, and three in Everett.
The nine communities - Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, and Winthrop - comprise the Metropolitan Boston Homeland Security Region. (Revere is placing another 12 cameras at its schools through a separate federal grant).
The regional Homeland Security money, to date totaling $4.6 million, is also paying for the local wireless systems, and a planned wireless network through which the nine communities will exchange video images and data, according to Don McGough, director of the mayor's office of emergency preparedness in Boston.
He said the cameras can be used for homeland security purposes -- protecting critical installations from terrorist activities and natural disasters - as well as monitoring other criminal activity.
The proliferation of surveillance cameras nationwide has generated controversy, with critics contending they infringe on civil liberties.
In Brookline, officials are considering rejecting their cameras in light of that concern.
"This is all part of putting in place mechanisms that we think change the nature of the United States as we have known it as a free society," said Sarah Wunsch, staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts.
"We've always compared ourselves to societies where the state government, the police, are watching you in public places."
Wunsch also cited studies that she said showed that cameras are not effective in preventing crime.
As yet, there are no signs of controversy in communities north of Boston with police cameras, and officials say they are confident their use is not infringing on civil liberties.
"We are placing these cameras in public places where there is no expectation of privacy," Driscoll said.
Local police also say they have adopted safeguards, including limiting access by officers to camera controls, to protect against violation of privacy.
Salem placed cameras on its common in response to vandalism and other criminal activity there. Butler said the incidents all seemed to cease once the cameras were installed, suggesting they were possibly a deterrent. From that experience, the city decided to try cameras downtown.
Butler said that in addition to helping monitor Halloween night crowds, the cameras came in handy in an incident where police were able to refute allegations of an assault by reviewing videotape taken where the crime was said to have occurred.
Everett Police Lieutenant Paul Landry said his department has found its cameras to be helpful.
"It gives an opportunity for the officer in charge to actually see what is going on on the street," Landry said, noting that he used it himself one night to watch one of his officers chase a suspect on foot on Broadway.
Chelsea and Revere police say that in addition to such monitoring, their cameras have been useful in crime investigations.
Revere Police Chief Terence Reardon said his department's cameras provided evidentiary material in the investigation of the 2007 fatal shooting of Revere Police Officer Daniel Talbot, and in a 2006 fatal hit-and-run case.
"What they do is corroborate facts as given to us by victims and witnesses, to confirm what happened and oftentimes to dispel allegations," said Chelsea Police Chief Brian A. Kyes.
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2009 : 08:52:58 AM
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| The city last week submitted to the state four projects it would like to have considered for inclusion in President-elect Barack Obama's planned economic stimulus package. City officials sent the list to Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray, who is spearheading development of a list of local projects that the state will propose for the stimulus package. Erin Deveney, chief of staff to Mayor Carlo DeMaria Jr., said that following the state's guidelines, Everett included only projects that could be "shovel-ready" in 180 days and completed in two years. The list included $2.5 million for renovation of the Shute Memorial Library; $1.75 million for the Everett portion of the Northern Strand Community Trail, the planned bicycle and pedestrian trail from the Malden River in Everett to the ocean in Lynn; $3.1 million for the reconstruction of Beacham Street; and $10 million to replace a stormwater culvert on Market Street in Everett and Chelsea. - John Laidler |
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just wondering
Senior Member
387 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2009 : 11:07:08 AM
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| During the town meeting last week, the mayor mentioned that according to the governors office there would be another opportunity to submit projects for consideration later in the year. |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2009 : 9:38:59 PM
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Council format debated
2-branch system could be scrapped
By John Laidler
Globe Correspondent / January 29, 2009
Whether Everett should change its distinct form of government is again a focus of debate as the city considers forming a charter review panel.
As a result of legislation signed Jan. 10 by Governor Deval Patrick, the November state ballot in Everett will include a question providing for creation of a nine-member charter commission. A second question is for electing members to the panel, in the event it is created. The legislation was filed at the city's request.
The ballot effort was spearheaded by an informal group of citizens that for years has advocated that Everett replace its two-branch City Council - a seven-member Board of Aldermen and a 25-member Common Council - with a single-branch council.
"I'm ecstatic," said Peter A. Napolitano, a Ward 1 common councilor, of the legislation's passage. A leader of the citizens' group, Napolitano noted previous setbacks in putting the proposed formation of a charter commission before voters.
Napolitano said that even if the commission or voters were to reject his group's proposal to scrap the bicameral format, he welcomes the opportunity for that and other potential changes to get a full airing.
"To me, that is true democracy," said Napolitano, who praised state Representative Stephen Smith, an Everett Democrat, for securing passage of the bill.
If voters approve the ballot question this fall, any recommendations from the commission would be placed on the 2011 ballot, and then, if passed, take effect in 2013.
Everett has had a bicameral council since its incorporation as a city in 1892, according to Napolitano. At the time the city adopted the format, two-branch councils were common. But Everett is currently the only city in New England that still has one and Napolitano said he knows of no others in the country.
Over the years, there have been periodic attempts in Everett to change to a unicameral council. All have failed, most recently through a referendum in 1981. But Napolitano believes there is growing support for the view that the current format is outmoded.
"It's not unique. It's a system that many cities had, and they left it for a good reason," he said, adding of Everett, "This is not our legacy - hanging on to something that clearly has problems."
The current effort to amend the charter began about six years ago.
In 2002, the City Council, in response to a citizens' petition, sought special legislation to place a question on the 2003 ballot providing for a charter commission. But the measure never made it to the ballot after the City Council failed to approve revisions required by the state.
Napolitano said his group then pursued a petition drive to get the matter on the 2005 ballot. That effort failed, but last year, the City Council voted to seek the legislation that was recently adopted.
Those seeking the change say the current format is cumbersome and time-consuming because council orders must be passed twice by the aldermen and twice by the common council before they reach the mayor's desk.
"There are times it takes forever to get some very simple things accomplished," Napolitano said.
"I think we'd be more productive if we had a smaller group of people working in the same direction," said Michael K. Marchese, a Ward 3 alderman who favors a unicameral body.
Napolitano said switching to a one-branch council would also save money because there would be fewer councilors to compensate - aldermen receive $7,200 a year and common councilors $5,500, and each is eligible for healthcare and pension benefits. He said there would also be fewer expenses, such as for copying documents.
And Napolitano believes fewer seats would mean more electoral competition and a higher caliber of candidates.
But John Leo McKinnon, a Ward 4 common councilor, favors keeping the bicameral format because "it gives you checks and balances." McKinnon said having many eyes reviewing legislation helps prevent passage of flawed measures.
Any savings would be minimal, McKinnon contends, because councilors in a single-branch body would probably receive higher pay.
But McKinnon said he would support having a commission as long as it were composed of "ordinary citizens that have nothing do with politics."
He said he would also have preferred that the question reach the ballot by citizen petition, contending, "If there was that much interest for it, I don't understand why they couldn't get" enough signatures.
Lou Sierra, a Ward 2 common councilor, formerly opposed changing to a unicameral legislature but said his view has changed.
"Having 24 people plus the severity of the times, I think it's time for a change," he said.
Alderman at Large Wayne Matewsky said he would have preferred to see the ballot measure result from a petition process. But as to the bicameral issue, "Whatever the will of the voters is, that's fine with me," he said.
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company. |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2009 : 9:42:38 PM
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This and the previous post were from yesterday's North Weekly section of the Boston Globe. I always seem to have a hard time remembering to check for any Everett material in that section on Thursdays.
$1 million security grant for Everett
Everett has been awarded a $1 million grant from the US Department of Homeland Security. The city will use the grant, awarded through the state's Executive Office of Public Safety, to enhance its public safety departments' communications and computer equipment, and to upgrade its emergency dispatch and emergency operations centers. The money also will pay for equipment for the Police Department's marine, dive team, and special operations units, and for supplies for a volunteer group that will assist in emergencies. "We're pleased that the federal government has recognized the importance of our role in helping prevent, deter, and respond to acts of terrorism against critical infrastructure," Police Chief Steven Mazzie said. "This grant will enable us to be better prepared as a community to work with private industry for the safety of all." - John Laidler |
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charm
Senior Member
264 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2009 : 06:56:27 AM
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Lenders abruptly cut lines of credit
Fear excessive use amid hard times
By Beth Healy, Globe Staff | January 31, 2009
Banks and other lenders nationwide, seeking to reduce their debt exposure, are shutting off and limiting consumer credit card lines, even for many customers who carry low balances and pay on time.
As much as $2 trillion in consumer credit - nearly half of what is available - could be rescinded, according to an estimate by a prominent banking analyst. Just two years ago, institutions were handing out liberal borrowing lines to almost anyone. But now, drowning in debt and soured investments, lenders are seeking to stop consumers from running up big balances in hard times, bills they might not be able to pay.
The credit squeeze doesn't just limit spending potential; it can also damage cardholders' credit ratings by making them appear to be riskier borrowers. And in many cases, the institutions pulling back on credit took government bailout funds that were supposed to encourage them to lend more freely.
Diana Lawton, a 44-year-old freelance writer in Chelmsford, is one of those being affected by the change in credit-line policies. She said American Express Co. called her last week to say her two charge cards - one personal, one for business - had been frozen pending a "financial review." Lawton, who had been using the personal card since 1988, said she was stunned. The company offered no explanation, accord ing to Lawton, but told her she could apply for reinstatement by submitting two years of income tax returns, along with three months of pay stubs and bank records.
Outraged at having to undergo a 10-day investigation of her finances, Lawton canceled the cards. "I know the economy's bad," she said, "but this is just shocking to me."
American Express, which has received $3.4 billion in federal bailout money, declined to discuss Lawton's situation. Lisa A. Gonzalez, a company spokeswoman, said that on "isolated occasions" it asks card members to provide financial information. "Though we continually look at the credit limits we offer card members and review them on a case-by-case basis, we are being more targeted in response to economic conditions," Gonzalez said. "This may also include cancellations."
Most bankers won't offer details about the cutbacks, but acknowledge they are happening. Betty Reiss, a spokeswoman for Bank of America Corp., the nation's second-largest card issuer, said, "We're taking a more aggressive look at accounts in order to control risk in the current environment." The bank is one of the biggest recipients of federal bailout funds - $45 billion.
As far back as July, 60 percent of card issuers reported they were constricting lines of credit, according to Javelin Strategy & Research, a Pleasanton, Calif., firm that tracks the credit card industry. And a Federal Reserve Bank survey in October, the latest available, found the same portion of bankers reporting tighter lending standards on credit cards.
Meredith Whitney, the Oppenheimer & Co. banking analyst who in November predicted a $2 trillion drop in credit availability, has said the loss will hurt the economy because consumers rely on credit cards for regular spending.
In part, banks and credit card companies are reacting to an increase in the number of cardholders who fail to pay their bills. For example, American Express said it wrote off 6.7 percent of its $63 billion US loan portfolio in the fourth quarter, up from 3.4 percent a year ago. To counter such losses, some institutions, including Citibank, have raised the interest rates they charge certain customers as a way to generate revenue.
Citibank said it is primarily raising interest rates for customers who haven't seen a change in two or three years. In a statement, the company said, "We have taken actions such as lowering credit limits, adjusting rates, tightening credit standards, and closing inactive accounts, particularly in certain geographies and where we can use mortgage data to enhance our decision-making capabilities."
In addition, as investor demand for credit card debt that is usually packaged into securities has plunged, banks are being forced to keep the debt on their books longer.
Many of the credit lines being taken away or reduced have not been used recently, according to people who track the business. Dennis Moroney of TowerGroup, a Needham research firm, called it the "kitchen drawer" syndrome because some consumers keep cards they don't need or don't use often. Card issuers are trying to rein in such accounts before they get tapped for emergencies in the slumping economy, Moroney said.
In addition to limiting spending, a reduced credit line can have a lasting effect on personal credit scores. For instance, someone who carries $1,000 balance on a card with $10,000 limit is suddenly tapping into a higher percentage of their credit if the limit is dropped to $3,000 - even though they haven't spent additional money. Using more than 30 percent of total available credit can make a consumer look riskier on paper, according to credit bureaus.
"In general, if a credit limit is reduced, and therefore the amount of credit utilized increases, it could have a negative impact on your credit score," said Tim Klein, a spokesman for Equifax, one of the three major companies that track consumers' credit lines and payment records.
None of the banks contacted for this story would discuss how their actions might affect credit scores.
The company that calculates scores, Fair Isaac Corp., said it is examining the impact that creditline cuts are having. The results are expected to made public within the next month and could lead to a shift in the way scores are calculated. Still, Fair Isaac spokesman Craig Watts defended banks' moves to reduce credit lines. "It's only unfair if you regard credit as a right instead of a privilege," Watts said.
Tom McNiff, a retiree in Winthrop, said he received a letter Jan. 7 informing him the credit line on his Eastern Bank card was being reduced from $12,000 to $2,700 "to reflect your spending." The letter was sent on behalf of Barclay Card US, the company that owns his account.
Kevin Sullivan, a Barclay spokesman, said, "We think we have a [credit] policy that's appropriate for this economic environment."
McNiff said he rarely carries a card balance, unless he makes a large purchase, and even then he typically pays the balance within two months. He said the letter troubled him because he had a hunch it would hurt his credit rating. After McNiff called to complain and the Globe made inquiries about his situation, the company reinstated his $12,000 credit line.
Leslie McFadden, a writer for Bankrate.com, a consumer banking and finance website, said banks are targeting people with inactive accounts as well as those with large balances. "You can't prevent your credit card issuer from lowering your limit," she said. "The advice is to pay on time and keep your balances low."
And if you have a card you haven't used in a while that you want to keep, McFadden said, "Buy something inexpensive and pay it off that month."
Beth Healy can be reached at bhealy@globe.com.
I found this interesting since this has happen to me with American Express |
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charm
Senior Member
264 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2009 : 06:16:51 AM
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EVERETT
KEEPING UP FORECLOSED PROPERTIES - The city is initiating a new ordinance aimed at keeping vacant and foreclosed properties from falling into disrepair. Under the ordinance, adopted early last year, the owners of such properties are required to register them annually with the city's Code Enforcement Task Force and pay a fee. If they fail to adequately maintain the properties, the owners are subject to daily fines. As part of the implementation, city code enforcement officials will inspect registered properties on a monthly basis to ensure they are being kept clean and secure. "With this ordinance, we'll force owners to keep property maintained to the highest of community standards," Mayor Carlo DeMaria Jr. said in a statement. "We don't need blighted property in our neighborhoods." In the coming weeks, owners, trustees, and real estate brokers of vacant and foreclosed properties will receive notices to register within 90 days. - John Laidler |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2009 : 06:57:47 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by charm
EVERETT
KEEPING UP FORECLOSED PROPERTIES - The city is initiating a new ordinance aimed at keeping vacant and foreclosed properties from falling into disrepair. Under the ordinance, adopted early last year, the owners of such properties are required to register them annually with the city's Code Enforcement Task Force and pay a fee. If they fail to adequately maintain the properties, the owners are subject to daily fines. As part of the implementation, city code enforcement officials will inspect registered properties on a monthly basis to ensure they are being kept clean and secure. "With this ordinance, we'll force owners to keep property maintained to the highest of community standards," Mayor Carlo DeMaria Jr. said in a statement. "We don't need blighted property in our neighborhoods." In the coming weeks, owners, trustees, and real estate brokers of vacant and foreclosed properties will receive notices to register within 90 days. - John Laidler
I think the idea is a good one. I hope the reality is as well............ |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2009 : 09:29:25 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by charm
EVERETT
KEEPING UP FORECLOSED PROPERTIES - The city is initiating a new ordinance aimed at keeping vacant and foreclosed properties from falling into disrepair. Under the ordinance, adopted early last year, the owners of such properties are required to register them annually with the city's Code Enforcement Task Force and pay a fee. If they fail to adequately maintain the properties, the owners are subject to daily fines. As part of the implementation, city code enforcement officials will inspect registered properties on a monthly basis to ensure they are being kept clean and secure. "With this ordinance, we'll force owners to keep property maintained to the highest of community standards," Mayor Carlo DeMaria Jr. said in a statement. "We don't need blighted property in our neighborhoods." In the coming weeks, owners, trustees, and real estate brokers of vacant and foreclosed properties will receive notices to register within 90 days. - John Laidler
I don't quite understand this. Who are the owners of these foreclosed properties? The banks?
What about properties that are not foreclosed? There are plenty of blighted properties that are not foreclosed on. People leaving hoods of cars up, jacked up on bricks, yards are a mess, nothing ever gets done about that. |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
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scamore
Senior Member
105 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2009 : 08:06:50 AM
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Two patrolmen volunteer for veterans job, forgo salary
Lynnfield patrolmen Matthew LaBonte (left) and Nicholas Secatore are jointly taking on the job of veterans services. (Mark Wilson/Globe Staff)
By John Laidler
Globe Correspondent / February 5, 2009
The two patrolmen last month were tapped by selectmen to share the job of Lynnfield's veterans services officer. They agreed to do it as volunteers. Their only compensation will be as-yet undetermined stipends to cover expenses. Both men are veterans.
"It's very admirable that these two guys stepped up at this point," said Arthur Bourque, chairman of the Board of Selectmen. "Nobody volunteers much anymore. This is public service at its best."
Town Administrator William J. Gustus estimated that the town is saving $35,000 to $40,000 by not having to pay a regular salary for the position.
Veterans services officers help veterans secure state and federal benefits, and to locate other needed services.
The Lynnfield job had been vacant since Neil Restani retired last spring. The position had been part time, but state law required it become full time because the town's population recently surpassed 12,000. With their combined efforts, LaBonte and Secatore are filling the job full time.
The pair, who have been Lynnfield police officers since last February, said they decided to approach Gustus in December about the idea of sharing the post after hearing it had been vacant for a number of months.
"We wanted the position to be filled," Secatore said. "We wanted to make sure that any veteran in town that had a question or needed someone to talk to or point in the right direction had somewhere to go to."
Spurring their interest was their own military background. LaBonte, 28, served as a corporal in the Army's Military Police Corps from 2002 to 2007, including two tours of duty in Iraq. Secatore, 31, served in the Marines from 1997 to 2005, including two years of active duty from 2002 to 2004. The other years he was in the Reserve.
Knowing the town's financial constraints, the two offered to take on the job without pay.
"People ask why," Secatore said of their willingness to volunteer. "Why not? To us, it's not a big deal. We don't have a high population of veterans in Lynnfield. But there is a need for a veterans services officer and that's what we are here for, anyone who needs our help."
LaBonte sees their new role as a continuation of the service ethic they learned in the military.
"There are guys who hold on to some of the core training that they give you and the belief system they instill in you, and I think Nick and I probably held on to some of that," he said.
Sharing the veterans job makes sense, the officers said, because they already work together on an overnight shift at the Police Department.
Acquaintances in high school, the two became friends while attending the Police Academy together prior to assuming their jobs.
"We developed a little camaraderie because we are both veterans," LaBonte said.
Given their already busy lives - LaBonte also is pursuing an associate's degree in criminal justice at North Shore Community College - the two said they are appreciative that town officials are allowing them flexibility in establishing their hours in the veterans post.
Their plan is for one of them to be on duty most mornings in the veterans' office in Town Hall, and for both to be available other times as needed.
Already, they have begun making small changes to the office, including outfitting it with a computer and beginning a data file for the town's 635 veterans. Some of their plans include initiating new forms of veterans outreach and adding new events, possibly a cookout, to the town's Memorial Day observances.
They also plan to make a special effort to ensure that residents newly discharged from service receive whatever assistance they need.
"We are close in age to the young veterans coming home. If we can connect with them because of their age group, that would be great," said Secatore, who was a financial analyst at Fidelity Investments before he became a police officer.
In addition to being veterans, the two believe their knowledge of the town should be useful in their new roles.
As a police officer, "you are really in touch with a lot of members of the community, and that does help," LaBonte said.
While their new duties could leave them with fewer hours to sleep at times, neither is fazed by that.
"Being in the military, you don't get a lot of sleep," LaBonte said. "You get used to it."
I THINNK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA, WE CAN DO THIS FOR EVERETT AND SAVE ON MR. HICKEY'S SALARY |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2009 : 08:29:00 AM
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I think the two officers should be commended however, I am sure Lynnfield has more than 12,000.00 residents. I cant see how they can do this when state law says those cities and towns must employ a full time veterans officer.
Mass. Cities Cited For Ignoring Vet Services Law
Reporting
Joe Shortsleeve BOSTON (WBZ) ¯ Massachusetts is cracking down on municipal leaders across the state as some communities are not providing legally mandated services for our veterans.
Our soldiers come home heroes but are often forgotten at Town Hall.
Veterans are entitled to certain benefits for housing, education, health care and much more.
These benefits are supposed to be handed out at the local level. In fact, every community is required by law to have a veteran's services officer.
But in this day of tight budgets, many towns are breaking the law and cutting back the position.
State officials are citing Danvers, Fitchburg, Framingham, Gloucester, Melrose and Milton, as well as others communities, with flaunting the law.
All communities are getting a letter signed by the Attorney General. It's a stern reminder that says, all cities and towns with populations over 12,000 must employ a full time veteran services officer
"If municipalities are not stepping up to the plate -- and the good news is most of them are -- but if communities are not, we are seriously going at look at intervening," said Lt. Gov. Tim Murray.
In some towns like Norwood, the veteran's services officer is swamped with work because vets who can't get help in their towns all go to Norwood.
The letter requires town leaders to provide the name of their veteran services officer to the state by March 1.
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2009 : 08:40:23 AM
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I also thinks it's wonderful that these two men are stepping up to fill a void however, I seriously doubt the state will consider their plan an acceptable alternative to a full time (dedicated) Veterans Services Officer.
That said, I don't think we'll ever see any of our police officers step up and do something for people in this city without having their hands out............... |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2009 : 04:53:07 AM
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EVERETT
MAYOR LOSES CHIEF OF STAFF - Mayor Carlo DeMaria Jr. last week that a key member of his administrative team is leaving. Erin Deveney, DeMaria's chief of staff, is resigning effective Feb. 21 to become chief of staff to Registrar of Motor Vehicles Rachel Kaprelian. "This is a great loss to my office," DeMaria said in a prepared statement. "Erin is one of the best and brightest people I've ever worked with. She was extremely dedicated, worked very hard, and set the standard for that position. Deveney, a lawyer, worked at the Registry of Motor Vehicles from 2000-2005 in several positions, including legal counsel and deputy registrar. From January 2006 until she joined DeMaria's office, she served as general counsel for the state's Criminal History Systems Board. Deveney expressed appreciation to DeMaria and the city "for the opportunities I've been provided. I have great confidence in the mayor's ability to lead the city in the upcoming difficult times." - John Laidler
SNOW GUIDE ONLINE - Spurred by the recent snowstorms, the city has published an online snow removal guide. The brochure, which will be in print soon, reviews the city's policies relating to snow emergencies. It also offers tips to guide residents with snow-related parking issues. The guide, available through the city's website, You must be logged in to see this link. was developed by the mayor's office with the help of the city's cable station, ECTV, the City Services Department, and the city clerk's office. - John Laidler |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2009 : 1:59:57 PM
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Health alliance shutters some clinics, plans to cut 300 jobs
By John Laidler
Globe Correspondent / February 8, 2009
Local officials are relieved their communities will not suffer a major loss of services from recent cutbacks announced by a regional health provider.
Cambridge Health Alliance announced that as a result of the financial crunch created by state budget cuts and the slow economy, it plans to eliminate more than 300 jobs, end inpatient services at Somerville Hospital, and close six medical clinics.
The Everett Family Health Center will close by year's end. A Winthrop family care practice and a children's dental clinic in Everett City Hall will close at the end of June.
But word that the cuts spared the alliance's Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett, the Revere Family Health Center, and the Malden Family Medical Center came as welcome news to officials in those cities. Everett officials also were pleased that two school-based clinics run by the alliance will continue operating.
"Fortunately, we are able to retain a number of services and jobs here in Everett, something our community and surrounding communities desperately need," Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria Jr. said in a prepared statement.
Under the plan, the Everett Family Health Center will be combined with and relocated to the Revere Family Health Center. Patients from the Winthrop family care practice will be referred to the Revere and Malden centers. The Everett dental practice will combine with the dental practice at the Windsor Street Health Center in Cambridge.
Deborah Murphy, site administrator at Whidden Memorial Hospital, said: "The community and staff here at the Whidden campus felt relieved and pleased that the hospital was going to stay and function as a strong community hospital. In the overall picture, we feel the hospital itself and our inpatient services were really safeguarded and untouched."
The only major change at Whidden is the conversion of a 22-bed adult psychiatric unit to an adult/geriatric psychiatric unit by June 30. The change will combine that unit with a 13-bed geriatric psychiatric unit at Somerville Hospital that is closing.
A 138-bed community hospital, Whidden was acquired by the alliance in 2001. In response to growing demand for emergency services at the Garland Street facility, the alliance made a $10 million renovation and expansion of the hospital's emergency room that was completed in 2007.
Murphy said Whidden, which had 5,052 hospital discharges in fiscal 2008, could see some growth in its patient numbers because of the cuts at Somerville Hospital. "Right now, we are prepared to handle any influx," she said.
Dr. Somava Stout, medical director of the Revere Family Health Center, said the fact the area was spared further downsizing "really reflects the sense of the Cambridge Health Alliance that it's a vital part of our mission to preserve services in these high-needs communities," referring to Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Revere, and Winthrop.
She said it also showed the "high level of collaboration" that exists between the nonprofit alliance and state and local officials - including area legislators - who worked together in developing the money-saving plan.
Stout said the plan will require some area patients to travel farther for treatment. But she said care delivery will actually be enhanced because services are being expanded at the consolidated sites. Her center in Revere, for instance, has added mental health and women's health services in anticipation of a merger with the Everett center, and plans to add addiction services.
By transferring to the Revere and Malden centers, patients who now go to the Everett and Winthrop centers will be able to see doctors on evenings and weekends, options the smaller practices do not offer.
"I think it provides an opportunity for us to create a different model of care that can meet the needs of patients in these communities," Stout said. "The vision we have is to create 'medical homes' that can integrate care for patients as much as possible. So when you go to see a primary care doctor and have a women's health need or a mental health need, you can come to one place and get all that care and your providers can as much as possible collaborate around your care."
Stout said the Revere Family Health Center, on Broadway, has seen significant growth since it opened in 2004. The number of primary care doctors is up from one to eight, and the number of patient visits has grown from 3,000 to more than 24,000 a year. The Malden center practice has also grown, she said.
Malden Mayor Richard C. Howard said it is good news for his city that the Malden Family Medical Center, on Canal Street, is staying open. Howard noted that for some years after Malden Hospital closed in 1999, Malden officials had advocated for creation of the clinic, which opened in 2007.
"It's helpful to have that resource together with" a separate clinic that Hallmark Health maintains on part of the old Malden Hospital site, Howard said. He also noted the close proximity of Whidden Memorial Hospital, as well as Melrose-Wakefield Hospital and Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford, both owned by Hallmark Health.
Revere Mayor Thomas G. Ambrosino said, "I'm glad to hear Revere's location is staying open and not being impacted, because it serves an enormous amount of people who otherwise would have difficulty getting medical service."
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company. |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2009 : 2:09:30 PM
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Isn't the Everett Family Health Center the place on Norwood Street? You know, the one that just got a pass on their awning color? Didn't they just expand into additional storefronts on Norwood Street? And how many of us were aware that is a children's dental clinic in Everett City Hall? Not me. As I've said elsewhere, let's hope that the CHA can transform itself into a viable entity going forward. It seems like the city needs to be wary of that.
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BOSTON GLOBE 2009
