At right, a painting of a pear by local artist June Howell.

Local Artists Display Work in Various Locations Around Medford

The ninth annual West Medford Open Studios will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11, and the event is bigger than ever this year.

The local arts festival will feature readings and performing arts in addition to the visual artists’ open studios, with more than sixty artists showcasing their work.

“The artwork this year is bound to engage an even wider audience then ever,” said committee member David Chia.

The diverse array of artwork from local artists is sure to appeal to everyone, with everything from paintings to jewelry to photography to sculpture to furniture.

And that’s just the visual arts- this year for the first time festival-goers can enjoy music by local musicians at the Brooks Elementary School and readings of original material by local writers.

Some of the musicians slated to perform include the rock band the Groove Pops, Spanish language children’s group Sing-a-Lingo, gospel singer Sayida Farmer, and Reflections, a group of talented sixth graders.

In addition, for the second year talented Medford High School students will showcase their work at the festival. The student exhibit, also at the Brooks Elementary School, features the work of fifteen young artists, some of which submitted their work to the Boston Globe Scholastic Art competition.

The festival will take place from noon to 5PM on each day, with maps guiding visitors into artists’ homes, studios, and other spaces in and around West Medford.

For more information on artists and how to get your hands on a map, see the festival website, www.wmos.org.

Group will Consider Creation of Civilian Parking Enforcement Division

- Allison Goldsberry

After years of grumbling by local officials and residents about a lack of enforcement, the city is moving one step closer toward creating a civilian parking enforcement division.

Mayor Michael McGlynn has convened a commission with Police Chief Leo Sacco, City Councilor Michael Marks, Assistant City Solicitor Anthony Santoro, business owner Marguerite Lynch, and resident Gwendolyn Blackburn to look at putting together a civilian division to help police with parking enforcement.

The commission, which is chaired by the Police Chief, will work closely with Boston Transportation Commissioner Thomas Tinlin in reviewing methods of ticketing, fines, and fees for parking violations.

Chief Sacco called Medford a “destination point for commuters,” and said Medford Police have not been able to consistently enforce parking regulations.

“One of the biggest problems we have in the city right now is traffic and parking,” said Chief Sacco.

Chief Sacco said a civilian parking patrol would “augment” the police with parking enforcement in the city and would provide the consistency that’s needed to keep violators in check.

City Councilor Michael Marks pushed for a separate parking enforcement division within the police department last fall, a measure that his Council colleagues supported.

Marks argued that such a group would help police with enforcement and would also generate some revenue for the city.

Chief Sacco said the commission would report back to the mayor with its recommendations within forty-five to ninety days.

After the Associated Press broke the story about traces of pharmaceuticals found in some of the nation’s water supplies, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority found no traces of drugs in its water supply after a recent round of testing.

The MWRA said it did not expect to find any drugs in the water supplied to 50 communities in eastern and central Massachusetts because its source reservoirs are well protected and the ozone treatment provided at the Carroll Water Treatment Plant should destroy many of them if they were present.

“But, just to be sure, we did test, and the results confirmed that there are no traces of pharmaceuticals in the water we deliver to the 2.3 million customers in the MWRA service area,” said MWRA executive director Frederick A. Laskey, a Medford resident.

Click here to read the entire announcement from the MWRA.

Medford Vocational Technical students in the Automotive Collision repair department have been hard at work transforming an old corvette confiscated by the Medford Police and used for their DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) unit into a traditional black and white cruiser. Students have worked on the car for months, as Automotive Technology students got the car up and running and the collision students spent time scraping and painting the car. Above, vocational students Ezra Davis, Dan Brogan, Ryan McCormick, Manny Reisopoulos, Roberto Mendez and Henry Martinez stand with the finished corvette cruiser outside of the body shop. Photo courtesy Joe Kinch.

At right, a Green Line train at Cleveland Circle. Photo by Alexander Svirsky.

Three Potential Station Locations for Medford

Story Updated 10:16AM Wednesday, May 7, 2008

- Allison Goldsberry

After months of public meetings and discussion, the Executive Office of Transportation unveiled three potential locations for Green Line stations in Medford at a meeting Monday afternoon.

Potential station locations include just over the Medford/Somerville line near Broadway by Ball Square, somewhere between College Avenue and Winthrop Street adjacent to Boston Avenue, and at Route 16 by the UHaul and Cummings Park properties.

Other locations that were considered for the Medford Hillside were College Avenue at Boston Avenue and Winthrop Street at Boston Avenue, but those options were scrapped in favor of a stop somewhere between those two potential stops. 

Project managers are still working on details about how many stops the Hillside will have, where they will be, and where the line will end. The Green Line could extend all the way to Route 16, which would require significant land takings and business relocations, or could end somewhere between College Avenue and Winthrop Street, which would require less construction and land acquisition.

According to City Councilor Fred Dello Russo, Jr., a member of the Green Line Project Advisory Group, the stations are not definitive and more public meetings will be held so residents can provide input on where they would like the stations to be.

Project managers are expected to attend the May 13 Council meeting to speak more specifically about how the project will impact Medford.

The Council tabled a resolution offered by City Councilor Robert Maiocco that asks the MBTA to refrain from taking residential property for the project. The resolution will surface again at next week’s meeting after project managers and the public have had their say.

Councilor Maiocco was adamant in his opposition to taking private land, especially that of residential property owners, to extend the Green Line to the Hillside.

“If we have to stand in their backyard before the jackhammers come, we’ll do it, because I don’t want one inch of private property taken for the expansion of the Green Line to Medford,” said Councilor Maiocco.

Another issue for Medford was the location of an 11.5 acre maintenance facility for the Green Line. Project officials are considering land in Somerville for the facility, and according to Councilor Dello Russo, the Green Line’s terminus in Medford will likely not included a maintenance facility, large or small.

More…

Past coverage of the Green Line extension project from InsideMedford.com

The Green Line Extension website

Ten Medford families are competing against each other as well as families from Arlington and Cambridge in a contest that challenges them to go green. Energy Smackdown, a community-based reality show and project of the BrainShift Foundation, is in its second year in Medford and families are competing by reducing their energy consumption in five areas- electricity, gas, travel, waste, and food. Medford’s ten families are pictured above with members of the contest’s Leadership Committee, School Committee members Ann Marie Cugno and Paulette Van der Kloot and State Representative Carl Sciortino.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Century Bank’s new branch at the Fellsway Plaza. From left: Joseph J. Senna, Esq.; Jonathan Sloane, Co-President and Co-CEO; Barbara Sloane, wife of Marshall Sloane; Marshall Sloane, Chairman of the Board and Founder of Century Bank; James Flynn, Senior Vice President; Cheryl White, Medford Chamber of Commerce; Mayor Michael McGlynn; Barry Sloane, Co-President and Co-CEO; Michelle English, Fellsway Branch Manager; and Linda Sloane Kay, Vice-President, Business Development. Courtesy photo.

Story Updated 8:32 PM Wednesday, May 7, 2008

- Allison Goldsberry

Century Bank opened the doors of two brand new branches in Medford Monday, one in the heart of Medford Square and another at the Fellsway Plaza.

The first grand opening was at 10AM in Medford Square at a site once occupied by Papa Gino’s. Mayor Michael McGlynn was one of the ceremonial ribbon-cutters for this event.

The bank spent $500,000 to transform the former pizza place into a state-of-the-art bank branch with energy efficient glass and WiFi accessibility. The bank also plans to spruce up the small plaza in front to make it more of a park where people can sit and take advantage of the free wireless internet.

The second grand opening was at 4PM at the Fellsway Plaza. The bank has moved into a building formerly occupied by Eastern Bank.

The ribbons at both ribbon-cutting ceremonies were made of $500 in bills, and both ribbons were donated to the city’s two middle schools.

“Century Bank is a real asset to Medford and the Bank’s donation to our schools, as well as its strengthened presence through its two new locations, reaffirms its commitment to our community,” said Mayor McGlynn.

“We’re proud to be an integral part of the Medford community. Expanding our branch network further demonstrates our commitment as the premier local banking institution,” said Co-CEO Barry Sloane.

“As a local family-run bank, giving back to our community is central to what we stand for as a good neighbor. Century Bank has played a vital role in the revitalization of Medford Square. This move will help to expand the City’s economic base,” said Co-CEO Jonathan Sloane.”

Century Bank moved its headquarters to Mystic Avenue in Medford over two years ago. The bank was founded in Somerville in 1969 by Marshall Sloane and has twenty-five branches in the Greater Boston area.

- Allison Goldsberry

Chilly rain served as the backdrop for a pitcher’s duel in Arlington when Medford took on the Spy Ponders Friday afternoon.

Junior right-handed pitcher Richie LeBert started on the mound for Medford and got the win for the Mustangs, out-pitching Arlington left-hander Justin Mansfield (not to be confused with Arlington’s right-handed pitcher by the same name).

LeBert pitched six complete innings, holding the Arlington offense at bay with a healthy set of fastballs and curveballs. Arlington didn’t get their first hit until the bottom of the fourth inning, a line drive triple down the right field line that put a runner into position to come home on a line drive single to center, the Spy Ponders’ only run of the game.

The Medford offense got rolling in the top of the second with a base hit by senior Rich Miller. Two more base hits by sophomore Ian Fitzgerald and senior David Milner loaded the bases and set up the perfect opportunity for sophomore Greg Wilson, who proceeded to drive in two runs for the Mustangs.

Wilson also proved valuable on defense, making several clutch catches in centerfield, including an incredible diving catch in the bottom of the third that shut down a potential Arlington rally.

Medford scored again in the sixth inning off an RBI single by Miller to left field with the bases loaded. Junior Steve Mearn started it off with a walk after he was hit by a pitch, followed by a base hit by senior captain Ben Waldrip and a bunt single by senior Shawn O’Brien.

Medford loaded the bases again in the sixth with no outs but was shut down by a key double play by Arlington.

Head Coach Nick Tucci was very pleased with his team’s performance, as the win leaves Medford with a 4-2 record in the Greater Boston League and a 5-5 record overall.

“It was a good victory to get. We came out with great heart and intensity,” said Tucci.

Waldrip said the team has been working hard all season and has been picking up the intensity over the past few weeks. He is happy with how the team worked together to get the win against Arlington.

“It was a great team win. Everyone played a huge part in the win,” said Waldrip.

The win also has additional significance for the team, as former Mustang baseball coach Paul Mattatall now serves as an assistant coach for Arlington. Tucci was coached by Mattatall and was his assistant last season, and the two still remain close.

“I think Coach Mattatall is proud, and likes the way we played,” said Tucci.

Waldrip, who was coached by Mattatall for the better part of his high school career, said it was weird to see Mattatall on the other side of the diamond, and called the game a “heartfelt reunion” for some of the players.

The Mustangs head to Waltham on Monday and Somerville on Wednesday, and don’t come home until they face Arlington for the second time on May 14.

No Charges in April 6 Case

- Bob Sprague, YourArlington.com

The accusation of assault involving Sen. J. James Marzilli Jr. brought April 6 by a woman in Arlington is now in the hands of Middlesex District Attorney Gerald T. Leone Jr.

“The case remains under investigation by our office in conjunction with the Arlington Police Department,” Leone’s spokesman Corey Welford wrote in an e-mail April 29. “There have been no charges filed at this time.”

Chief Ryan of Arlington police said April 27 that the district attorney was now handling the case.

Marzilli’s attorney, Terrence W. Kennedy of Everett, said by telephone April 24 that the case was in a “holding pattern.” Reached on vacation, he said, “When you learn something, let me know.” He also said he doubted a charge would be brought. Now that the district attorney has the case, Kennedy has been asked to comment, but he could not be reached.

Marzilli faces an accusation from a woman after Arlington police were called to an undisclosed home at 1:15 a.m. April 6 to investigate a report of indecent assault and battery.

The veteran Beacon Hill lawmaker wants to tell the public his side of the story, Kennedy has said, but he has advised his client not to talk with the police or public.

The complaint was filed after Marzilli attended the 20th-anniversary celebration of the Arlington Center for the Arts on April 5 and presented the 2008 Alan McClennen Community Arts Award.

YourArlington asked a number of people who were present that night whether anyone appeared to be accompanying the senator or whether he left with anyone. Some of those asked said he appeared to be alone. No one who was questioned saw him leave.

One person who was there said: “I saw Jim briefly toward the early end of the night. He looked tensely relieved about the election (like all of us). I left after 11:15, when the majority of people had already left but there was a few clusters of people still going strong. I didn’t see him at that point.”

Since the complaint was filed, Marzilli has apparently gathered sufficient signatures in his bid for reelection to the Senate seat he won last December. Opposing the Arlington Democrat are Jack Hurd and Ken Donnelly. Marzilli, 49, was a member of the state House of Representatives for 16 years.

Welford, who did not return numerous phone calls, but did respond to e-mail, was asked a series of questions:

When was the complaint referred?

What does the complaint say?

If it is a charge, when will the senator be arraigned?

What is the time frame in which the case is expected to be handled?

Welford answered only that the case remains under investigation and no charges have been filed.

He invited a reporter “to let me know if you have further questions.” Asked when Arlington police referred the case to the district attorney, Welford wrote:

“We are working in conjunction with Arlington Police have been in contact for weeks on this matter.”

Welford has not responded to a request to be more specific.

In general, once a district attorney is handling a case, the office could indict and seek a probable-cause hearing in court as to whether there is enough evidence to go forward. Evidence could also be presented to a grand jury, which would decide whether there should be an indictment.

A third possibility is that the district attorney could decide there is not enough evidence and close the case.