Rev. Eric Nelson retired from the Washington Street Baptist Church in Lynn after 34 years. (Item Photo by Owen O’Rourke)

By Michele Durgin

LYNN — Spending time with the recently retired pastor of Lynn’s Washington Street Baptist Church, Eric Nelson, is refreshing and inspiring.

Rev. Nelson has been the pastor of the 142-year-old parish since 1982 and reports that he’s leaving the church in good hands, which makes him hopeful about its future.

“There’s a terrific core group here,” he said. “They are truly committed to the future of this church and I believe these wonderful people will continue to make improvements.”

Nelson became an ordained minister of the Baptist faith in 1969. He served in a few parishes in the Boston area before settling in Lynn in 1982.

He and Priscilla, his wife of 34 years, raised two children along the way. Today, Priscilla is enjoying a career as a professor at Gordon College in Wenham. Their son, Samuel, 28, is the organist at St. Paul’s Church in Lynnfield, and daughter, Abigail, 25, is a third grade teacher at Hood School in Lynn.

“I look forward to spending more time with my family as I move into retirement,” said Nelson. “I am taking so many fond memories with me and I am happy to be leaving on a good note. The leadership is strong and committed to the future, and I am hopeful that improvements will continue to be made.”

Nelson is leaving a legacy of community involvement that has served local young people well. He and his staff, with support from Gordon College, North Shore Community College, congregation members and a grant from the city of Lynn, host an afterschool kids club that began about 10 years ago. It is attended by about 25 youngsters each day, and they have access to homework help, Bible time, character building activities and occasional field trips, all at no charge.

“Our director, Fred Mathieu, is doing a wonderful job, along with help from NSCC and Gordon College students,” said Nelson.

The congregation is also supporting two women who are serving the world as missionaries. One of them is opening a daycare center in Uganda and the other is developing a ministry dedicated to victims of violence in Kenya.

“We’ve become more mission-minded during my time here and I hope that continues,” Nelson said. “I have learned that we don’t minister alone, and working in collaboration with agencies in Lynn and the surrounding area have been a blessing for so many in need.”

Nelson hopes that attendance at Sunday services continues to be steady, and said he is especially pleased that about 30 percent of the congregation is under the age of 18.

“I am happy that we are reaching young people,” he said. “They are the future of this church and it is so important to keep them involved.”

As Nelson contemplated his time in retirement, he smiled and said, “I have a coffee cup that reads ‘Old ministers never die, they go out to pastor.’”

And then, after a moment or two, he added, “We will see where the Lord leads me. I can promise you one thing. I won’t be playing golf.”

Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy (Item file photo)

By Thomas Grillo

LYNN — City officials say Lynn has a sufficient amount of affordable housing and what the city needs is an infusion of market-rate homes and new residents with deep pockets to occupy them.

In its most recent report, the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) said of the nearly 35,701 housing units in the city, 12.5 percent meet the affordability  criteria. That count includes deed-restricted units that remain affordable in perpetuity.

Only 14 Bay State cities and towns have a larger percentage of low-income housing: Aquinnah on Martha’s Vineyard, Bedford, Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Gardner, Greenfield, Hadley, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, North Adams, Springfield and Worcester, according to the DHCD.

James Cowdell, executive director of the Lynn Economic Development & Industrial Corp. (EDIC/Lynn), said the numbers reported by the state fail to include about 4,000 Section 8 vouchers, the federal program that assists low-income families, elders and the disabled afford housing in the private market, and perhaps as many as another 1,000 federal vouchers that are not tracked and the number of people living in shelters — bringing the total to more than 25 percent.

Cowdell objected to a protest that was held earlier this month before a developer’s tour of the city when two dozen members of Lynn United for Change, a community organization that supports affordable housing, used a bullhorn to advocate for more low- and moderate-income units. They held signs that said “Lynn Says No To Gentrification” and “Lynn Families Before Developer’s Profits.”  

“To tell a developer ‘If you don’t do what we say, we will shut you down,’ there’s no place for that,” he said. “Take your bullhorn and go to Lynnfield, go to Swampscott, go to Marblehead; how can you make that argument in Lynn?”

It’s not an accident that upscale eateries like the Blue Ox and Rossetti Restaurant have located downtown, Cowdell said.

“I was the author of the rezoning in 2003 to bring market-rate housing to the city and look at the impact on the downtown,” he said. “Those restaurants came because we’ve put people in the area with disposable income. We are trying to raise the bar.”

But Karen Wiener, interim executive director at the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association, a statewide affordable- housing advocacy group, said while Lynn should be praised for meeting the state’s 10 percent threshold, that figure is the minimum of affordable units communities must have to avoid Chapter 40B projects. The controversial measure allows developers to bypass local zoning on density if the percentage of affordable units is below 10 percent.

“Twelve percent is a great start and congratulations to Lynn for meeting and exceeding the minimum, but what about three or five years from now as gentrification sets in?” Wiener asked.  “Lynn has a lot, but I’m not certain there isn’t a need for more deed-restricted affordable in perpetuity.”

Thomas Callahan, executive director of the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance, said he’s not sure what percentage of affordable housing is right for each community.

“It’s a moving target,” he said. “It depends on how many people are paying more than 30, 40 or 50 percent of their income for rent.”

In its most recent report, Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development (LHAND) said 66 percent of all Lynn households meet the Department of Housing & Urban Development’s definition of low- or moderate-income.

In addition, 5,285 people are on LHAND’s waiting list for apartments.

“In Lynn, a substantial number of residents are paying a huge percent of their pay on rent and that’s evidence that more affordable housing is needed,” Callahan said.

“Compare our affordable housing numbers to surrounding communities,” he said. “For anyone to say that Lynn is not doing its fair share, there’s no proof of that.”

Less than 4 percent of the units in Marblehead, Nahant and Swampscott are considered affordable, according to the state.

Cowdell said he is opposed to any so-called inclusionary zoning law, which requires that 10 to 20 percent of units in a development be set aside as affordable. Boston, Cambridge, Somerville and Quincy have such measures.

“Once the city sets its vision, specifies zoning and how sites should be developed, I don’t think we should then tell developers ‘Now that you’re going to build it, make 20 percent of the units affordable,’” Cowdell added.

Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy said the city has more than enough affordable housing. She also disputed the state’s number and said by her count about a third of the city’s housing stock is considered affordable.

“Lynn has more than its share of affordable housing right now,” she said. “We have exceeded the goal and one of the things that Lynn needs to succeed in is its long-term economic development is to have people with disposable income in the mix of the housing that we offer.”

Thomas Grillo can be reached at tgrillo@itemlive.com.

LYNN — John D. Reid Jr., 49, passed away Sept. 28 after a brief, but heroic, fight with cancer. Born and raised in Lynn, he was the beloved son of Janice (Barnett) Reid of Lynn and John D. Reid Sr. of Waltham.

John loved to work around the yard and work on cars. He also had a passion for cooking and was a great chef. He also loved walking along the beach in the evening. He was a wonderful, loving father. He leaves behind sons Craig Reid, Sean Reid and Nicholas Reid. He was predeceased by a newborn daughter. He also leaves sons Johnny and Joseph.

He was the brother of Kathy O’Fallon of Lowell and Tony Kozlosky of Memphis. He was uncle to Kaelan and Kira O’Fallon of Lowell and Lindsay, Tony, Amelia, Lilly, and Abigail Kozlosky of Tennessee. He also leaves a stepmother, Donna Reid of Waltham, several aunts, uncles and cousins, and an abundance of close friends whom he considered family.

Service information: Relatives, friends and public are invited to a memorial gathering to be held at GOODRICH Funeral Home, 128 Washington St., Lynn, Thursday Oct. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m.

LYNN — Richard John Votano, age 67, of Lynn, died Tuesday after a lengthy illness. He was the longtime companion of Nancy Gorman of Lynn. A lifelong Lynn resident, he was the son of the late Pasquale and Irene (Coocen) Votano. Richard had worked as a bricklayer for Frasca Construction. He loved the ocean and was a WWII history buff. He cared for everyone he knew and will be greatly missed.

In addition to his companion, Nancy, he is survived by three sons; Salvatore Votano and his wife Risa of Middleton, Richard Votano, Jr. of N.H., and Anthony Votano of Lynn; his grandchildren; Brad Paone of Rockport, Michael Votano of N.H., and Rachelle, Rhea and Shae Votano of Middleton; his great-grandchildren; Max and Paul Paone of Rockport; his siblings; Joy Gutro and her husband Sonny of Fla., Dolly Waldron of N.H., William Votano and his wife Sandi of Lynn, Delfino Votano of Swampscott and Virginia Votano of Lynn; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Patrick Joseph Votano and Barbara Irene “Rene” Votano; the former husband of the late Barbara (Frasca) Votano; and brother of the late Pat and Paul Votano.

Service information: His funeral will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the SOLIMINE Funeral Home, 426 Broadway (Rt 129), Lynn. Burial will be in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours are Friday from 4-8 p.m. Those who prefer may make donations to Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St., Danvers, MA 01923. Directions and guestbook at Solimine.com.

LYNN — Diane Demakes, age 96, of Lynn, died Tuesday Oct. 4, 2016, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. She was the daughter of the late Euthymios and Ioanna “Jean” (Koutsogeorge) Demakes. She was born and raised in Lynn, where she lived until 1976. She moved to Swampscott and lived there the rest of her life. She graduated from Lynn Classical High School, Class of 1937.

As a youngster, Diana worked with her parents and siblings in producing her mother’s recipe for Greek Sausage “Locanico”, originally peddled in their Waterhill Street neighborhood, later sold locally under the Holiday Brand label, and today by Old Neighborhood Foods.

She was a member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Lynn, where in her younger day, she enjoyed singing in the choir, as well as, traveling to Europe on several extended trips.

She worked for Holiday Brand on Waterhill Street as a bookkeeper until 1957. After retirement as a Credit Union Manager from Cabot Corp in 1982, she was the first woman elected to the Board of Directors at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Lynn and served as Treasurer for several years.

Diana was the youngest of her large family and was devoted to them. She was the last of her siblings to survive, living a long and blessed life, facing all the losses she suffered with grace. In later years, she loved visits from her many nieces and nephews, and enjoyed cooking and sharing her recipes. For many years she hosted family parties at Christmas and Easter at her condo clubhouse. These festivities were enjoyed by third and fourth generations of Demakes descendants. She has left all her family with unforgettable memories.

She is survived by many nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Louis E. and Nicholas Demakes, Atty. Charles Demakis, Peter Demakis, Mary Katsos, Carol Billows and Alice Comenos.

Service information: A funeral service for Diana will be held on Friday, Oct. 7, 2016, in St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Lynn at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held in the church from 9-11 a.m. Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, “Burn the Mortgage Fund”, 54 So. Common St., Lynn, MA 01902. Arrangements are by SOLIMINE Funeral Home, Lynn, Directions and guest book at Solimine.com.

All address information, particularly arrests, reflect police records. In the event of a perceived inaccuracy, it is the sole responsibility of the concerned party to contact the relevant police department and have the department issue a notice of correction to the Daily Item. Corrections or clarifications will not be made without express notice of change from the arresting police department.

LYNN

Arrests

Nicole Benson was arrested on warrant charges of disturbing the peace and possession of a Class E drug at 9:49 p.m. Tuesday.

Jamie Croft, 31, of 27 Hampton St., Swampscott, was arrested and charged with sexual conduct for a fee, possession of a Class E drug and on warrant charges of two counts of sexual conduct for a fee and trespassing at 4:08 a.m. Wednesday.

Isaiah Gonzalez, 20, of 265 Euclid Ave., was arrested and charged with trespassing at 4:28 p.m. Tuesday.

Ernest Hill, of 100 Willow St., was arrested on warrant charges of an uninsured motor vehicle/trailer and unregistered motor vehicle at 10:24 p.m. Tuesday.

Aaron Mwankuga, 24, of 78 Central Ave., was arrested and charged with trespassing and possession of a Class A drug at 4:29 p.m. Tuesday.

James Nutton, of 361 Essex St., was arrested on a warrant charge of trespassing at 11:44 a.m. Wednesday.

Brandon Ong, 19, of 95 Pleasant St., was arrested on a warrant charge of assault and battery at 10:35 a.m. Wednesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 2 p.m. Tuesday at School and Union streets; at 5:13 p.m. Tuesday at 52 Bay View Ave.; at 8:45 p.m. Tuesday at Family Dollar at 210 Union St.; at 2:34 p.m. Wednesday at Goodridge Street and Tracy Avenue.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 2:04 p.m. Tuesday at Broad and Exchange streets; at 9:06 a.m. Wednesday at Chatham Street and Trinity Avenue.

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 2:05 p.m. Tuesday on Highland Avenue; at 2:35 p.m. Tuesday at Chestnut and Essex streets; at 4:19 p.m. Tuesday at Market and State streets; at 4:59 p.m. Tuesday at 810 Lynnway; at 7:57 p.m. Tuesday at Boston and Myrtle streets; at 11:40 p.m. Tuesday at 90 Lawton Ave.; at 1:03 p.m. Wednesday at Broad and Market streets; at 2:52 p.m. Wednesday at 9 Autumn St.

Assaults

A report of an assault at 5:43 p.m. Tuesday on Chestnut Street.

A report of an assault and battery at 6:31 p.m. Tuesday on Rockmere Gardens; at 9:32 p.m. Tuesday on Exchange Street.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a motor vehicle breaking and entering at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday at 83 Johnson St.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 4:22 p.m. Tuesday at 9 Rockmere Gardens; at 8:28 a.m. Wednesday at Richdale at 229 Broadway; at 12:16 p.m. Wednesday at JME at 164 Blossom St.; at 12:16 p.m. Wednesday at 694 Western Ave.; at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at 100 Willow St.; at 1:14 p.m. Wednesday at 694 Western Ave.; at 3:23 p.m. Wednesday at 55 Harwood St.

Overdose

A report of an overdose at 2:22 p.m. Tuesday on Essex Street; at 12:43 p.m. Wednesday on Chestnut Street; at 2:35 p.m. Wednesday at Friend and Green streets.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 3:42 p.m. Tuesday at 170 Union St.; at 3:59 p.m. Tuesday on Sheridan Street; at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday at 219 Lewis St.; at 7:32 p.m. Tuesday at 24 Surfside Road; at 10:28 p.m. Tuesday at 92 Market St.; at 9:51 a.m. Wednesday at 75 Cottage St.; at 1:14 p.m. Wednesday at 28 Western Ave.

A report of motor vehicle theft at 8:59 p.m. Tuesday at 138 Allen Ave.

A report of a robbery at 10:11 p.m. Tuesday at Ames Playground at 20 Strawberry Ave.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 12:53 a.m. Wednesday at 63 Essex St.; at 10:49 a.m. Wednesday at 7-Eleven at 264 Essex St.; at 12:43 p.m. Wednesday at 25 Boston St.

MARBLEHEAD

Arrest

Joshua S. Philemond, 19, of 20 Lawton Ave., Apt. 3, Lynn, was arrested on a warrant at 11:21 a.m. Tuesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 8:58 a.m. Monday on Atlantic Avenue; at 11:44 a.m. Monday on Circle Street.

Complaints

A report of two fishermen on the beach drinking at 5:47 p.m. Monday on Atlantic Avenue.

A report of a hamburger smashed on a motor vehicle at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday on Stonybrook Road. A caller reported that overnight, someone smeared a hamburger all over his son’s truck. The rear window and driver’s side were covered in condiments. The buns were on the roof and the windshield.

A report of a window broken in the restroom at 10:46 a.m. Tuesday on Front Street. A caller stated an employee in the park cleaning the restrooms reported that there was a broken window and rock nearby which they believed was used in the vandalism.

A report of a disturbance at 9:43 p.m. Tuesday on Village Street.

A caller reported a loud game going on at the playground at 9:48 p.m. Tuesday on Green Street. The caller didn’t think it was kids or teenagers but thought it was “too late to play any games on a school night like this.”

A report of suspicious activity at 4:33 a.m. Wednesday on Bubier Road. A caller reported a large, white van with what appeared to be an intoxicated driver, who had his foot on the brake. He was holding some type of bottle the caller thought was wine. An officer reported the driver was drinking a Coke Zero and his GPS device had fallen off the windshield. He was placing it back on the windshield and there was no alcohol in the van, nor was the driver drunk.

Theft

A report of a stolen bike at 1:02 p.m. Monday on Smith Street. Police located the bike at the high school on the tennis courts.

PEABODY

Arrest

Jeffrey Lucien, 38, of 64 Foster St., Apt. 104, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and on a warrant at 4:35 p.m. Tuesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 3:29 p.m. Tuesday at 135 Summit St.; at 3:49 p.m. Tuesday at 56 Driscoll St. A car struck a parked car and one person was taken to Salem Hospital; at 11:51 a.m. Wednesday at Marriott Hotel at 8A Centennial Drive. Erica Snarski, 22, of 69 Weymouth St., was summoned for unlicensed operation.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 4:35 p.m. Tuesday at Barbaro Liquors at 12 Foster St. Jeffrey Lucien, 38, was arrested; at 1:39 p.m. Wednesday at 21 Caller St.

A report of a neighborhood dispute at 11:43 p.m. Tuesday at 8 Margin St. A loud music complaint led a caller to reported the other neighbor threatened to stab him if he should return a second time to complain about the noise. Both people decided to call it a night after police response; at 9:46 a.m. Wednesday at 1728 Silverleaf Way. A caller reported that the movers upstairs were making a lot of noise and were being verbally abusive. He was upset about being told to mind his own business.  

Theft

A report of a larceny at 5:32 p.m. Tuesday at 179 Lake St. A caller reported a stolen purse containing about $8,000 cash.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 3:32 p.m. Tuesday at 3 Swampscott Ave. A caller reported her car was scratched.

REVERE

Arrests

Brittany Ann Boyd, 27, of 53 Ward St., Worcester, was arrested on a warrant at 7:41 a.m. Tuesday.

James K. Graham Jr., 54, of 56 Johnson Ave., Apt. 3, Lynn, was arrested and charged with shoplifting by asportation and on a warrant at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 12:24 p.m. Tuesday on Copeland Circle.

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 4:56 p.m. Tuesday on Copeland Circle.

Assaults

A report of an assault at 5:42 a.m. Tuesday on Revere Beach Parkway; at 11:42 a.m. Tuesday on Revere Beach Parkway; at 1:13 p.m. Tuesday on Revere Street.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 8:20 p.m. Tuesday on Pomona Street.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 3:58 a.m. Tuesday at Dunkin Donuts on Beach Street; at 4:07 a.m. Tuesday on Revere Beach Parkway; at 5:05 a.m. Tuesday at Lee’s Trailer Park on Revere Beach Parkway; at 8:41 a.m. Tuesday on Hichborn Street; at 11:54 a.m. Tuesday at North Shore Road and Beach Street; at 3:38 p.m. Tuesday on Mountain Avenue; at 4:08 p.m. Tuesday at Family Dollar on North Shore Road; at 6:14 p.m. Tuesday on Shirley Avenue; at 11:02 p.m. Tuesday on Malden Street.

Theft

A report of a larceny/forgery/fraud at 12:07 p.m. Tuesday on Roosevelt Street; at 11:27 p.m. Tuesday at West Revere Health Center on Salem Street.

Vandalism

A report of motor vehicle vandalism at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday on Highland Street; at 8:33 p.m. Tuesday on Avalon Street.

SAUGUS

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 8:03 a.m. Tuesday at Route One Miniature Golf at 1575 Broadway.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 3:14 p.m. Tuesday at Square One Mall at 1201 Broadway.

Assaults

A report of an assault and battery at 7:35 a.m. Tuesday on Lincoln Avenue.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 7:05 a.m. Tuesday at Salvation Army at 209-33 Broadway; at 4:58 p.m. Tuesday at Spuds Restaurant at 22 Lincoln Ave. A caller reported a fellow employee struck him.

A report of a DPW complaint at 11:01 p.m. Tuesday at 25 Cliftondale Ave. A caller reported he had sewage being pumped into his house.

Theft

A report of a larceny by check art 3:36 p.m. Tuesday at Salem Five at 1201 Broadway.

A report of a larceny at 3:46 p.m. Tuesday at 8 Mountain Ave. A caller reported his daughter’s bicycle was stolen.

SWAMPSCOTT

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 7:46 a.m. Tuesday at Franklin Avenue and Paradise Road; at 8:04 p.m. Tuesday at 27 Pine St.

Under Superintendent Dr. Catherine Latham’s direction and backing from Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy and fellow school committee members, Lynn schools started spending $3 million beginning in 2014 on improving curriculums for reading and related subjects. Item file photo

Lynn School Superintendent Dr. Catherine Latham is a numbers person, and the latest numbers for student test scores and dropout rates give Latham plenty of reasons to smile.

The latest assessment scores for Lynn public school students tripled the number of schools ranked as Level One from two in 2015 to six this year. Thanks to improved student proficiency in reading and mathematics, schools like Pickering Middle School and Harrington Elementary School saw dramatic test score improvements from Level Three to Level One status.

Lynn is ranked as a Level Three district among large urban school systems grouped into their own category by state educators. But that mid-range ranking does not tell the story of improvements and academic strides made in Lynn schools.

Under Latham’s direction and backing from Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy and fellow school committee members, Lynn schools started spending $3 million beginning in 2014 on improving curriculums for reading and related subjects.

Truckloads of boxes filled with books arrived at local schools with as many as 27 boxes dropped off in each classroom. Knowing that students for testing purposes need to be proficient in mathematics as well as English language arts, Latham and fellow administrators launched innovative math programs with names like “First in Math” and “Go Math.”

School officials didn’t simply throw shiny new books and fancy math study programs at students and turn their backs. They introduced a battery of academic intervention programs designed to closely monitor student progress. At the first sign of a student faltering or falling behind, teachers provided after-school help.

The payoff from spending millions of dollars and two years on academic improvement is measurably dramatic. Eight years’ worth of test numbers shows how Lynn public schools have narrowed the gap between local test scores and statewide average scores in all tested subjects.

The public school dropout rate for 2015 stands at 3.8 percent compared to 5.4 percent five years ago. Deputy School Superintendent Dr. Patrick Tutwiler said local dropout prevention programs are making strides in giving students a reason to stay in school. The reasons vary from student to student, but as Tutwiler noted, keeping students from dropping out starts well before high school.

The important point to never forget about the Lynn schools is that their hallways and classrooms fill up every September with children from countries around the world and from families with sometimes serious problems. People, not machines and books, educate these children and, hopefully, set them on the path to becoming productive adults.

Under Latham’s direction, the public schools also assembled a social and emotional education program built around social workers with help from the Essex County District Attorney, Lynn Police Department and local organizations, including Project COPE. At the center of the program stand teachers who draw on compassion and a love for their job to help kids overcome tough family situations.

The latest test score results tell a success story about student academic improvement, but the real success story in Lynn is about school leaders who took the time to design and execute a plan to improve local schools by improving student success.

Lynn parents have a lot to be thankful for when it comes to the schools their kids walk into every day.

Chas Kircher, portraying Hannibal Lecter, rehearses for “Silence! The Musical,” which begins performances on Friday at Lynn Arts’ Black Box Theater. Photo by Paula Muller

By Bill Brotherton

LYNN — If you like your entertainment crude, rude, twisted and sick, “Silence! The Musical” might be right up your alley.

It’s a musical parody of “Silence of the Lambs,” the gruesome 1991 film that starred Jodie Foster as a young FBI cadet seeking help from Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter, an incarcerated and manipulative murderer, to help capture a serial killer who skins his victims.

Arts After Hours will present the New England premiere of “Silence” Oct. 9-29 at Lynn Arts’ Black Box Theater on Exchange Street.

“This makes ‘Sweeney Todd’ seem like ‘Sesame Street,” said director James Tallach. “One memorable line from the movie becomes a whole musical number. It’s not for the kiddies. We don’t advise parents to bring their kids … but parents might enjoy this night out to get away from the kids,” said Tallach, with a devilish smile.

This is uncharted territory for actor Chas Kircher, who will play Hannibal the Cannibal. By day he’s an elementary school music teacher. Past roles include good-guy Mark in “Rent” and wise-guy gambler Sky Masterson in “Guys and Dolls.” The Revere resident admits “I’ve never played anything like this before.”

Tallach, born and bred in Scotland, moved to Massachusetts in 1998 for a computer programming job. Working with the now-shuttered Turtle Lane Playhouse in Newton, his career quickly changed course. He and Kircher met there, and when the Lecter role for this production went unfilled after auditions, he gave his pal a call. “Chas seems normal, but so does Hannibal Lecter,” Tallach said.

“I’m silly with kids all day,” said Kircher. “I was a bit taken aback when James said I was perfect for this role. … I love the movie, and the chance to take that iconic character and put myself into it was irresistible.”

This show marks Arts After Hours’ fifth year of enticing tourists from Salem’s Halloween festivities to downtown Lynn. It has been a huge success. Corey Jackson, managing director of Arts After Hours, said for last year’s “Texas Chainsaw Musical” audience members came from as far away as England, Australia, Canada and South Africa.

Theater fans who enjoy Ryan Landry’s productions with the Gold Dust Orphans — “The Greatest Little Theatre Company since the Last Supper” — will eat this up faster than a helping of liver, fava beans and a nice chianti. In fact, 2016 Elliot Norton Award winner Tim Lawton, a member of the Gold Dust Orphans (“Thoroughly Muslim Millie”), is music director for “Silence.”

Nicole Spirito is choreographer and cast members include Lisa McDonough, Jeremiah O’Sullivan, Samantha Gambaccini, Michael Barry, Ariel Sargent, Alexander Colacchio, Ricky DeSisto and Kircher.

Tallach said there will be one important change this year: There will be no “Splatter Zone,” special seats where eager audience members would get covered in “blood.” The reason is far from nefarious. “Simply, it was tough to clean it up after each performance.”

But no worries, insisted Tallach, “There will still be a whole lot of blood. Lots and lots of blood.”

The New England premiere of “Silence! The Musical” will take the stage at Arts After Hours, Oct. 7-29, at Lynn Arts, 25 Exchange St. For tickets and information, call 781-205-4010, go to www.artsafterhours.com or visit Arts After Hours’ Facebook page.

By Thomas Grillo

LYNN — After more than a year of study on how to improve traffic along Route 107, the state has issued recommendations that will cost more than $26 million.

Among the suggestions in the draft study to the Lynn portion of the road include reduction of the lane width to 11 feet, the addition of left turn lanes, coordination of traffic signals, a new light at the Eastern Avenue intersection, north and southbound bicycle lanes, consolidation of bus stops that are ADA compliant and new sidewalks and crosswalks.

The 206-page survey commissioned by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is the result of a series of surveys and public meetings that began in June seeking improvements to the areas between Chestnut Street in Lynn and Boston Street in Salem.

“The problems we have on the Route 107 corridor are some of the worst in the commonwealth in terms of dangerous intersections, lack of public safety features for pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists, so we are pleased the state conducted a comprehensive study,” said City Council President and state Rep. Daniel Cahill, who lives on Belleaire Avenue. “Obviously, the suggested price tag is significant and every year that goes by the cost most likely will rise.”

One of the biggest trouble spots is the intersection at Western Avenue at Stanwood Street and Eastern Avenue. Under the proposal, a southbound left turn lane would be installed to improve traffic flow and safety. The new traffic signal would significantly improve the level-of-service, the study said. Under the reconfiguration, the westbound approach to the road would be restricted to right-only and promises to improve the level-of-service especially at rush hour.

The study also recommends that the curb be extended at the end of the parking lane northbound approaching Eastern Avenue to create a so-called “gateway” effect and to reduce the pedestrian crossing. Bicycle lanes and bike boxes are also proposed at the intersection. A bike box is an intersection safety design to prevent bicycle and car collisions. It is a painted green space on the road with a white bicycle symbol inside. The box creates space between motor vehicles and the crosswalk that allows bicyclists to position themselves ahead of motor vehicle traffic at an intersection.

In terms of short-term transit improvements, the inbound and outbound MBTA bus stops at the intersection would be removed to improve traffic flow.

Not all of the recommendations have gone over well. For example, there is opposition to bike lanes because residents say the roadway is dangerous enough for cars and is especially unsafe for bicyclists. In addition, the elimination of some parking spaces along the roadway has also brought resistance from retailers and homeowners.

In order for full implementation of the study’s recommendations, lawmakers would have to float a transportation bond bill or attach the Lynn and Salem improvements to an existing bond bill, according to Cahill.  

Cahill said he is exploring ways the city could take some of the low-cost suggestions from the study and implement them immediately.

“Other communities have put down temporary striping to see how traffic flow improves instead of permanent reconfiguration of intersections,” he said. “I’m very interested in doing that on Route 107.”

Earlier this year, local lawmakers proposed a measure that gives MassDOT up to $150,000 which can be used for infrastructure improvements and studies along Route 107.

“Now, it’s up to the state delegation and city officials to advocate for funds to mitigate the severe traffic issues in Lynn and Salem,” Cahill said.

Thomas Grillo can be reached at tgrillo@itemlive.com.

Christian Book Distributors celebrates the opening of their 70,000-square-foot expansion in Peabody Wednesday with a ribbon cutting. Item photo by Owen O’Rourke.

By Adam Swift

PEABODY — Most ribbon-cutting ceremonies gather together a couple of company bigshots and local dignitaries posing for the cameras.

But that’s not how Peabody’s Christian Book Distributors does business. For the ribbon-cutting of its new 70,000-square-foot warehouse expansion project on Summit Drive, each of the company’s nearly 500 employees were encouraged to grab a pair of scissors and cut off a piece of the ribbon to take home.

Even with the ribbon stretching nearly 350 feet across the length of the new four-story addition, it was hard to squeeze all the workers into the picture.

The opening ceremony was the culmination of a year-long effort to expand resources at the book distribution center, which employs hundreds of people from across the North Shore.

“This much-needed expansion to our warehouse will help us immensely with the management of our inventory, as we no longer have to navigate our way through four off-site facilities to locate product to fulfill our customers’ orders,” said Ray Hendrickson, president and CEO of Christian Book Distributors. “We are extremely happy to have the new space up and running in time for our busy Christmas season. We are especially thankful to the city of Peabody for working with us on permitting, Citizens Bank for financing, Dacon as general contractor, SMMA as architect and Fraser Project Management as a consultant in the building process.”

From concept to completion, the warehouse project sped along in less than a year, almost unheard of for a project of that size.

Hendrickson was especially appreciative of the relationship his company has with the city.

“Before we built the original building 20 years ago, we went to another city which was so against it,” he said. “After nine months, we gave up and went to Peabody, which was excited about the opportunity.”

That willingness to work together extended to the plans to get the warehouse expansion off the ground.

“We are fortunate in Peabody to have Christian Book Distributors as one of our flagship companies,” said Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt Jr. “They employ hundreds of our residents, and I have close friends who work here. Christian Books has always been a company the city can go to to assist with events, and they always step up.”

Even though the $8 million warehouse addition is up and running, Kevin Hendrickson, Ray’s son and the company’s chief operating officer, said there is little time to rest.

“We definitely have our work cut out for us before the Christmas season,” he said. “We need to get as much of our product in as possible.”

Christian Book Distributors is the largest religious catalog/internet company in the world, sending out more than 65 mailings of unique catalogs to millions of customers each year. Customers have access to more than a half-million products, including Bibles, church supplies, gifts, toys, games, CDs, DVDs, academic references, commentaries and more.

While the company is a leader in its field today, it comes from humble roots in Lynn. Ray Hendrickson and his brother started the business in their parents’ Lynn home in 1978. The Item even played a role in the company’s early history.

“When we first started out at our parents’ house, we used to use the typesetter on the fifth floor of the old Item building (on Exchange Street),” Hendrickson said.

Adam Swift can be reached at aswift@itemlive.com.

Adam Fila, Matthew Phelan and Brock Hogan walk from the entrance to Lynn Woods Reservation to the Lynn Woods Elementary School on Wednesday. Item photo by Owen O’Rourke.

By Leah Dearborn

LYNN — Students looked both ways on Lynn streets for the 20th International Walk to School Day on Wednesday.

Lynn Woods Elementary students in grades K through 5 gathered at the entrance to Lynn Woods Reservation on Great Woods Road for the event, which began through the Partnership for a Walkable America as a campaign to raise awareness for more walkable communities.

“I think it’s awesome that they do this,” said parent Kelly Landano, who sees walking to school together as a good way for students to socialize and make friends.

Principal Ellen Fritz said that in addition to fostering a sense of community, walking to school encourages healthy habits and reduces traffic congestion around the school, which is located on a dead-end street.

For several walkers, the morning stroll to Trevett Avenue marked their first time taking a method of transport other than a vehicle.

Ramon Abreu and daughter Mia, 7, like to exercise but usually drive to school. Ramon Abreu said he wouldn’t mind walking more often in the nice weather, but that winter presents a barrier to getting out on foot safely.    

“Every community faces its challenges, whether urban or rural. It’s just finding what works for that specific school,” said Keith Doty, marketing coordinator with the Safe Routes to School, an agency for walking and biking activities.

Students were instructed to always stop at the end of a street and to only walk on the sidewalk.

Fifth-graders were put in charge of keeping the group organized. As an incentive, the class with the most participating walkers was awarded extra gym time.

Sewell-Anderson Elementary and Sisson Elementary held their own Walk to School Day events, with the latter attended by Superintendent Dr. Catherine Latham. Shannon Murphy represented the mayor’s office on the Lynn Woods walk.

Kathe Landergan, a coordinator with Safe Routes, said that although Walk to School Day is an annual event, some schools hold organized weekly walks as well.

Lynn Woods students walk every Tuesday and Thursday, and Sewell-Anderson students walk on Wednesdays.

Superintendent of Lynn Schools Dr. Catherine Latham talks Wednesday with the Daily Item editors about how student test scores have improved. Item photo by Owen O’Rourke.

By Gayla Cawley

LYNN — Standardized test scores are up in Lynn and school officials are thrilled.

“It’s quite exciting to see,” said Superintendent Dr. Catherine C. Latham.

Lynn Public Schools saw a bump in its students’ Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) and Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) scores. The increase also closes the gap between the city’s Composite Performance Index (CPI) test scores and the state average.

In 2016, Lynn had an English Language Arts (ELA) CPI of 81, up 2.1 points from its 2015 PARCC results. The CPI is 6.2 points lower than the state, narrowing the gap from the 7.9 point difference last year.

In math, Lynn had a CPI of 74.6 for its PARCC scores, 3.2 points higher than its results last year. Its 2016 results are 6.9 points lower than the state, but an improvement over the 9.3 point gap last year.

In science, which is only offered with MCAS, Lynn had a CPI of 72.3, a 2.4 improvement over last year. The city scored 6.5 points lower than the state, improving over its 9.5 gap in 2015. The city’s scores are up in the subject, despite a decline in state results from last year.

Lynn is part of the Commissioner’s District, made up of 10 of the state’s largest urban school districts. Compared to its counterparts, the city scored highest in ELA and science, and second-highest in math, two tenths of a point out of the top spot.

Latham said the higher scores could partly be attributed to the curriculum material the schools are now using. She cited the Reach for Reading program, through National Geographic, that provides students with high interest books. She’s been told by teachers that kids can’t wait to get the books.

The superintendent said Lynn, like other urban school districts, faces the challenge of keeping its scores up with a large population of English language learner (ELL) students. This year, Lynn has 218 students from another country. When those students come to the district, Latham said, the second year they’re there, they have to take MCAS or PARCC and reach the proficient level. To prep them, Latham said there is a lot of professional development for ELL students.

“All students need to take the PARCC or the MCAS and all students are expected to become proficient, and that includes special education students, ELL, so they’re all in the same boat,” Latham said. “We have to bring everybody up at the same time, and it’s a big challenge.”

Another factor in driving up test scores is a new focus on the social and emotional health of students, according to school officials. In the school department alone, Latham said there are 26 social workers. Five years ago, she said, she didn’t know if there were any. The superintendent said she’s seen students sent to school sick and traumatized.

Deputy Superintendent Jaye E. Warry said that without bolstering the social-emotional well-being of kids, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to bolster their achievement. She said children are coming from very traumatized backgrounds. The schools work with the Lynn Police Department and Project COPE, an affiliate of Bridgewell, Latham added, as students are coming from homes with opioid addiction.

Warry said the schools are working with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and outside agencies closer than ever. Deputy Superintendent Patrick Tutwiler said there’s been a lot of professional development in the area, as educators are understanding what trauma does to the brain.

Overall, Latham said the test results show steady gains and she believes the district is doing well.

“I’d say we’re making good progress and the results are very encouraging and show that the resources that we have put towards the new curriculum and new professional development for our teachers is paying off,” she said.

Gayla Cawley can be reached at gcawley@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley.

SWAMPSCOTT — John P. Thompson, Sr., 95, formerly of Swampscott and Salem, died Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016, at the Brudnick Center for Living in Peabody. He was the loving husband of the late Doris (Fleming) Thompson, with whom he shared 67 years of marriage.

Born in Louisville, Ky., on Sept. 28, 1921, he was the son of the late Herbert and Anna (Shietinger) Thompson. He was raised and educated in Louisville and graduated from the University of Louisville. He served honorably in the U.S. Navy during WWII.

Following the war, John began his career with General Electric in Ohio. He was transferred to New York and then Lynn, and retired from Arthur D. Little, Inc., where he worked in research and development.

He was a longtime member of the First Church in Swampscott and Tedesco Country Club. He enjoyed reading and spending winters in Holiday, Fla., where he was a member of the Cypress Run Golf Club.

He leaves his children, Sally Thompson and her husband George Gately of Peabody, Mark Thompson and his wife Laurel of Swampscott, and W. Randall Thompson and his wife Mary of Florida, his daughter-in-law, Linda Thompson, eight grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Phil Thompson, a grandson, Kevin Gately, and a sister, Mary Alice Schwab.

Service information: His funeral service will be Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the First Church in Swampscott, 40 Monument Ave. Burial will follow in Swampscott Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Monday from 4-7 p.m. at C.R. LYONS & SONS Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s name may be made to the Kevin J. Gately Foundation, c/o 24 Lisa Rd., Peabody, MA 01960 or online at KJGfoundation.org. For directions or to leave a condolence, please visit LyonsFuneral.com.

SAUGUS — Mr. Frank E. Bangs, age 86, formerly of Peabody, died on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Beverly Hospital. He was the loving husband of Evelyn (Spinney) Bangs with whom he shared 54 years of marriage.

Born in Lynn and raised in Peabody, he was the son of the late Morris and Helen (Welch) Bangs. Mr. Bangs was a graduate of Peabody High School and was a retired truck driver for the oil industry.

Besides his wife, Mr. Bangs leaves his three children, Ruth Hart and her husband Kevin of Stoughton, Robert Bangs and his partner Candace Conley of Saugus, and Rita Setera and her husband Scott of Colorado and their 2 children, Nalie and Brynn; his sister Barbara Risk of Salem, N.H.

Service information: Services, at the request of the family, will be private. Donations in Frank’s name may be made to Beverly Hospital, Philanthropy Office, 85 Herrick St., Beverly, MA 01915. For condolences BisbeePorcella.com.

PEABODY — Caroline M. “Carol” (Cordeau) Oljey, age 95, of Peabody, formerly of Lynn, died peacefully on Monday, surrounded by her family in the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Francis A. Oljey. Born and raised in Lynn, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Muise) Cordeau. Carol had lived in Lynn for the greater part of her life, and attended St. Jean’s Grammar School and Lynn Classical High School. She had lived in Peabody for the past 11 years.

Carol enjoyed making ceramics for many years. She loved cooking and shopping. Her greatest joy was time spent with her family.

She is survived by her four children; Donna Lee Janus and her husband Thomas of Burlington, Dennis F. Oljey and his wife Jill of Swampscott, Timothy L. Oljey and his wife Carole of Newmarket, N.H., and Denise E. Fleury and her husband Ronald of Peabody. She also leaves 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her great-grandson; Evan Hansen and her twin brother; Joseph Cordeau.

Service information: Her funeral will be held on Tuesday at 9 a.m. from the SOLIMINE Funeral Home, 426 Broadway (Rt. 129), Lynn, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Ann’s Church, Peabody. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Saugus. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours are Monday from 4-7 p.m. Those who prefer may make donations to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St. Danvers, MA 01923. Directions and guestbook at Solimine.com.

Photo by Bob Roche.
Surrounded by Minutemen, Steffan Gravely faked left, then right, then scored another touchdown.

By Mike Alongi

LYNN — They say running the football consistently and chewing up the clock is one of the ways to win a football game. Someone should tell that to the Lynn Tech Tigers.

Behind another unbelievable performance from star running back Steffan Gravely, the Tigers (2-3) routed the Minuteman Tech Mustangs, 47-6, in a Commonwealth Conference game at Manning Field Thursday night. Tech ran just four offensive plays in the first half, all touchdown runs of various distances (45, 59, 71 and 81 yards). The fifth time Tech touched the ball in the first half, it was on a 58-yard punt return touchdown from Gravely.

“I know Minuteman is trying to get their program going, but for us personally, it was all about getting rolling again,” said Tech coach James Runner. “I’m not one of those guys that wants to just run over a team, but at the end of the day my guys only ran about 14 plays, so I’ve got to let them play a little bit. We practiced really hard and prepared well this week.”

In all, Gravely recorded 339 total yards and six touchdowns, with 201 yards and four touchdowns coming on the ground. The other touchdown for Tech was scored on an 81-yard romp by Keoni Gaskin.

“Steffan is a great playmaker, and we’re fortunate to have him on our team,” Runner said. “I think the big thing was being able to move him into different positions, and having the double-headed monster of him and Keoni Gaskins back there is huge for us.”

It was also Homecoming Weekend for the Tigers, and four Tech students were honored before the game. Senior Class President Marissa Colon and girls soccer team captain Coral Gonzalez were honored as members of the court, while Makayla Handley was honored as Homecoming Queen and Elvis Guerrero was honored as Homecoming King.

The second half was much of the same for the Tigers, as Gravely took back the opening kickoff 80 yards for a score to continue the momentum.
After the Tech defense recorded an interception on the ensuing drive, Gravely scored on a 26-yard scamper to close out the night for the Tigers.

Minuteman was able to score on its final drive of the game, a 10-play, 45-yard run that ended with a six-yard touchdown run from Casseus.

Despite their 2-3 record, the Tigers are right in the thick of the hunt for a CAC title this year, and Runner knows it.

“The thing about us being 2-3, is that we’re still 2-1 in our conference,” Runner said. “This win is big for us and we’ve got an even bigger one next week in Tyngsborough. If we get that one there, it will really put us in a position to win this conference. So that’s where our focus is, I’m not trying to get ahead of the game, but right now I’m proud of the way we’re playing.”

The Tigers will play another conference game against Greater Lowell on the road in Tyngsborough Friday.

All address information, particularly arrests, reflect police records. In the event of a perceived inaccuracy, it is the sole responsibility of the concerned party to contact the relevant police department and have the department issue a notice of correction to the Daily Item. Corrections or clarifications will not be made without express notice of change from the arresting police department.

LYNN

Arrests

Elodia Carrillo was arrested on warrant charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct and trespassing at 6:26 p.m. Wednesday.

Matthew Torres, 18, of 52 Rogers Ave., was arrested on warrant charges of possession of a BB gun/air rifle and dangerous weapon on school grounds at 4:36 p.m. Wednesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 4:13 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Maple streets; at 5:20 p.m. Wednesday at 4 O’Callaghan Way; at 6:47 a.m. Thursday at Commercial Street and Lynnway; at 7:56 a.m. Thursday at Commercial and Neptune streets; at 8:02 a.m. Thursday at 285 Lynn Shore Drive; at 8:44 a.m. Thursday at Hood Elementary School at 24 Oakwood Ave.; at 9:16 a.m. Thursday at Adams and Rockway streets; at 9:53 a.m. Thursday at 37 Friend St.; at 2:46 p.m. Thursday at Chestnut and Mason streets.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 8:08 p.m. Wednesday at 195 Market St.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 9:41 a.m. Thursday at Andrew and Market streets; at 1:27 p.m. Thursday at 54 Elmwood Ave.

Assaults

A report of an assault and battery at 4:32 p.m. Wednesday on Union Street; at 7:22 p.m. Wednesday on Eutaw Avenue.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a motor vehicle breaking and entering at 8:07 a.m. Thursday at 82 Laurel St.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 3:52 p.m. Wednesday at 61 Lawton Ave.; at 3:53 p.m. Wednesday at 77 Cottage St.; at 7:02 p.m. Wednesday at Lynnway and Surfside Road; at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at 225 Boston St.; at 11:47 p.m. Wednesday at 104 Newhall St.; at 12:26 a.m. Thursday at Wendy’s at 116 Boston St.; at 4:36 a.m. Thursday at 181 N Common St.

A report of a gunshot at 2:31 a.m. Thursday on Lawton Avenue.

Overdose

A report of an overdose at 3:38 p.m. Wednesday on W Green Street; at 2:49 p.m. Thursday on Central Avenue.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 5:54 p.m. Wednesday at Brothers Deli at 41 Market St.; at 6:37 p.m. Wednesday at 4 Johnson’s Terrace; at 10:05 a.m. Thursday at 3 Drexel Terrace; at 10:08 a.m. Thursday at Hanover and Whittier streets.

A report of motor vehicle theft at 11:07 a.m. Thursday at 67 Silsbee St.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 1:04 a.m. Thursday at Boston and Cottage streets.

A report of motor vehicle vandalism at 6:23 a.m. Thursday at 550 Eastern Ave.

LYNNFIELD

Arrest

Michael Joe Murphy, 65, of 17 Concord St., Charlestown, was arrested and charged with OUI liquor, marked lanes violation and number plate violation at 9:16 p.m. Tuesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 2:16 p.m. Monday at 592 Main St. and South Common Street; at 2:37 p.m. Monday on Condon Circle; at 10:54 a.m. Wednesday on Condon Circle; at 7:18 p.m. Wednesday at 70 S Broadway.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 6:23 p.m. Monday at Calvary Temple at 47 Grove St. A motor vehicle struck a building and one person was taken to Union Hospital.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 8:47 p.m. Tuesday at East Huckleberry and Michaels roads; at 11:34 p.m. Tuesday at 300 King Rail Drive; at 7:23 p.m. Wednesday at East Huckleberry and Michaels roads.

Fire

A report of a motor vehicle fire at 3:54 p.m. Wednesday at 10 Candlewood Road.

A report of a small brush fire in front of the building at 7:38 a.m. Thursday at The Boston Sports Club at 425 Walnut St.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 4:27 p.m. Wednesday at 500 Ross Drive.

Vandalism

A report of malicious destruction of property at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at 7 Hampton Court.

MARBLEHEAD

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 1:41 p.m. Wednesday on Ocean Avenue.

Complaints

A report of suspicious activity at 8:41 p.m. Wednesday on Pleasant Street. A caller reported she witnessed a man on a bike “trying the doors of cars and trying to get into the building.”

Theft

A report of a custom maroon bike stolen at 10:14 a.m. Wednesday on Front Street.

REVERE

Arrest

Boban R. Marinkovic, 29, of 54 Waitt Park, was arrested and charged with shoplifting by concealing merchandise at 3:56 p.m. Wednesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 1:17 a.m. Wednesday on North Shore Road; at 7:52 a.m. Wednesday on Park Avenue; at 7:58 a.m. Wednesday at Tavilla Jewelry on Broadway; at 9:31 a.m. Wednesday at Revere Housing Authority on Cooledge Street; at 1:23 p.m. Wednesday on Freeman Street; at 6:08 p.m. Wednesday on Washington Avenue. Stephen J. Doherty, 57, of 157 Hamilton St., Saugus, was summoned for operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked license; at 10:53 p.m. Wednesday on Beach Street. Margaret M. Rose, 52, of 22 School St., Essex, was summoned for OUI drugs, OUI liquor and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 6:51 p.m. Wednesday on Mahoney Circle.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Tripoli Imports on North Shore Road; at 12:27 p.m. Wednesday on Beachland Avenue; at 2:04 p.m. Wednesday at Revere City Hall on Broadway.

Theft

A report of a larceny/forgery/fraud at 3:23 a.m. Wednesday at Tedeschi Food Mart on Squire Road; at 5:26 p.m. Wednesday on Morris Street.

A report of a stolen motor vehicle at 2:50 p.m. Wednesday on E Mountain Avenue.

Vandalism

A report of motor vehicle vandalism at 6:03 p.m. Wednesday on Gordon Road.

SWAMPSCOTT

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 2:49 p.m. Wednesday at 345 Essex St.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 4:20 p.m. Tuesday at Linscott Park at 9 Monument Ave.

A 206-page, just-completed state transportation study concludes that adding the “gateway effect” and “bike boxes” to Western Avenue will make its East Lynn stretch safer and easier to travel.

The study outlines ways to spend more than $26 million to improve Western Avenue, also known as Route 107.

City Council President and state Rep. Dan Cahill underscored the importance of making improvements on Western Avenue Wednesday. Cahill, who lives in East Lynn and drives Western Avenue every day, also pointed at the improvement’s price tag and said, “… every year that goes by the cost most likely will rise.”

Most people who drive down 107’s East Lynn length know it features two sources of major aggravation. One is the free-for-all intersection at Western Avenue and Eastern Avenue, a major location of serious local accidents. The other aggravation is located at Western Avenue’s Salem end where traffic flowing from that city gets squeezed into Lynn with a traffic lane merger.

It’s hard to say if lane-merging features like the “gateway effect” and safety ones like “bike boxes” will improve Western Avenue.

The hard truth about road projects, like any other venture paid for with tax dollars, is that improvements must be prioritized. Some items in 107’s lengthy study report are going to have to get shelved.

As Cahill pointedly noted, securing state money for road improvements is a challenge for local officials that can extend from one year to another. Lynn’s legislative delegation has done a good job ensuring projects like the Wyoma Square road repaving and traffic signal work secured money.

But Cahill’s right: now is the time to spend money on 107’s East Lynn stretch instead of waiting into the next decade to do the work or until the next fatal accident occurs on Western Avenue.

Any plan to spend money on 107 should be focused on the top priority needs for the street, beginning with making traffic flow smoothly through Western Avenue at Eastern Avenue and Stanwood and Maple streets and working with the city of Salem and the state to ease the bottleneck straddling Lynn and Salem.

Taking a priority approach to improving Western Avenue might force the city to veer away from the “smart streets” planning philosophy state transportation officials and, by extension, federal officials endorse.

The latest in transportation planning trends, smart streets encompasses a total transportation scheme, including pedestrian and bicycle needs. It’s well and good to envision how people on foot and bikes will use 107.

But the street is primarily a crosstown thoroughfare funneling into busy side streets, and planning for its future should be focused on automobile traffic. If lane and signal changes can make Western Avenue safer for vehicles, then they can also make it safer for bicyclists.

Ranking priorities is a hard-headed task that inevitably disappoints people. But it is the only way to get realistic improvements undertaken in anywhere near a timely fashion on Western Avenue.

It’s time to move from the study and public hearing phase on Route 107 to the funding and construction phase.

By Thor Jourgensen

LYNN — Local public school teachers and elected officials rallied Thursday morning against the statewide ballot question asking voters on Nov. 8 to increase the number of charter schools in Massachusetts.

“The reality is you can’t talk about raising the (charter) cap without talking about additional underlying causes,” state Sen. Thomas M. McGee told about 50 people gathered on Lynn Common.

Lynn Teachers Union members and elected officials as well as parents assembled on the Common with “no on 2” signs then walked to nearby schools, including Fecteau-Leary Junior/Senior High School and Cobbet Elementary School, to demonstrate opposition against Question 2.

A “yes” vote on 2 will allow approval of up to 12 new charter schools annually. Voting “no” keeps current charter expansion limitations in place.

The Yes on 2 website insists “Charter schools are public schools, open to all children. They have a proven track record of closing the achievement gap for kids who need it the most. They offer longer school days, more personal attention and great teaching.”

But charter expansion opponents, including Lynn Teachers Union President Brant Duncan, said the underlying causes McGee referred to include state funding provisions allowing charter schools to draw tax dollars away from already-underfunded public schools.

School Committee member Lorraine Gately on Thursday said Lynn public schools offer a quality education with half the schools ranked Level One and Two by the state based on spring test score results.

“Our schools are doing so much better,” Gately said.

Thor Jourgensen can be reached at tjourgensen@itemlive.com.

Lynn Police Chief Kevin Coppinger speaks during a forum for Essex County Sheriff candidates as St. Stephen’s Memorial Episcopal Church on Thursday. (Photo by Bob Roche)

By Leah Dearborn

LYNN — A packed room welcomed some fiery banter between Essex County Sheriff candidates at St. Stephen’s Memorial Episcopal Church on Thursday night.

The Essex County Community Organization (ECCO) and Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) hosted a forum at the church for candidates to answer questions posed by community leaders.

The participating candidates included Mark Archer and Kevin Leach, both running as unenrolled candidates; Lynn Police Chief Kevin Coppinger, winner of the September Democratic primary, and Republican primary winner Anne Manning-Martin.

Discussions on high-tension issues related to race and transparency punctuated the forum, including comments on perceived lack of reporting of ethnicity statistics in the county jail system.

Coppinger emphasized creating connections between jail and outside community programs to prevent recidivism while Manning-Martin and Leach spoke about the importance of plans that are tailored to the individual inmate.

When asked about diversifying the police force based on race, gender and language, Archer spoke to the difficulties he has experienced as an African American in law enforcement, receiving applause from the audience.

“It’s wrong,” said Archer about the lack of diversity in criminal justice. “It’s wrong and I’m going to change it in a nondiscriminatory way.”

Manning-Martin brought up the importance of data-driven hiring to ensure a balance in staffing based on community demographics. The career state corrections professional focused on statistics and analysis in law enforcement multiple times over the course of the night.  

Coppinger said that physical contact can create a safety issue by opening a window for smuggling.

“The problem with physical contact is contraband swaps,” said Coppinger. “It could be as simple as sharing a kiss with a loved one and then drugs get in.”    

Other questions concerned how the candidates would improve re-entry programs to prevent recidivism, deal with the privatization of inmate medical services in prisons and handle policies on physical contact between inmates and visitors.

Leach caused a stir in the crowd when he said that in the state of Massachusetts, it is difficult to become incarcerated. He said that inmates should earn physical contact with visitors through good behavior.

Archer rebuffed this statement, saying, “sometimes you just have to look the wrong way” to be incarcerated.  

The race to replace retiring Sheriff Frank Cousins will end when voters go to the polls on Nov. 8.