LYNN — Mr.  James Anthony O’Malley, age 88, of Dover, N.H., formerly a longtime resident of Lynn, passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2017.

Born in Dorchester, James was the son of the late Austin and Kathleen (Ennis) O’Malley. He was the beloved husband of the late Eileen (Sullivan) O’Malley, with whom he shared 55 years of marriage; the loving and devoted father of Carol Brewin and her husband Gus, with whom he lived, and the late James A. O’Malley Jr.; the cherished grandfather of Jessica Gionet and her husband Jason of Dover, N.H., and Keith Brewin and his partner Dave Connor of Rowlett, Texas, and great-grandfather of Ryan and Kiley Gionet; the dear brother of Marion O’Malley of Quincy, the late Austin O’Malley and his wife Pat O’Malley of Centerville and the late Kathleen O’Malley; the brother-in-law of Billy Sullivan and his wife Brenda of W. Bridgewater, Marion Sullivan of Lynn and the late James L. Sullivan Jr.; Godfather to Linda Mulcahy and Kevin O’Malley and the uncle of many nieces and nephews and lifelong friends with the late Eleanor and Joe McPhee.

Jim always had a smile on his face, most especially when he was playing cards or in the pool at the gym. James was a veteran of U.S. Navy and a milkman and tractor trailer driver with HP Hood & Sons for many years prior to his retirement. After he retired he spent the winters in Florida and the summers in Derry, N.H., with Eileen, the love of his life.

Service information: Funeral will be held from the CUFFE-MCGINN Funeral Home, 157 Maple St., Lynn, on Friday, March 10 at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, 8 South Common St., Lynn, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Lynn. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours will be held from 9-10 a.m. on Friday, March 10 at the funeral home prior to the Mass. In lieu of flowers, gifts in James’ memory may be made to Marathon Strides Against MS Team 101, 1st Ave., Waltham, MA 02451 to Kristina Simonson in memory of James O’Malley. For the online guestbook please visit Cuffemcginn.com.

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Michael A. Magerary, with his wife, Lisa, is sworn in as Lynn Police Chief.

By THOMAS GRILLO

LYNN — As family, friends and fellow police officers looked on, Deputy Chief Michael Mageary was sworn in as the city’s top cop Tuesday.

The mayor’s office was packed for the 10-minute ceremony as the 54-year-old chief, who has been on the force since 1986, was administered the oath by City Clerk Janet Rowe.

Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy was all smiles as she hugged and congratulated the city’s newest chief.

“There’s no better person, coach, or police officer that you could ask for the city of Lynn than to have Mike as our new chief,” she said.

Following thunderous applause, Mageary thanked the mayor, Deputy Chief Leonard Desmarais, his parents, Skip and Arlene, for the example they set, his “wonderful” wife Lisa and their children Jennifer and Brendan for the sacrifices they’ve made. He also commended the men and women of the Lynn Police Department.

“I’ve always been proud to be a cop, but more importantly I’ve been proud to be a Lynn cop and it’s because of the work that you do every day,” he told the crowd of officers. “I know it’s a very difficult job and I hoping that together that we can make your job safer and less difficult. I will do the best I can and I ask for your help.”

Saugus dad, daughter booted from train

Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger, the former chief, said Mageary is the right person for the job.

“The city will be in very good hands with Chief Mageary,” he said. “He came up through the ranks and worked with me for several years as deputy chief. He’s very reliable, very trustworthy and very smart. He has what it takes.”

Earlier this year, MMA Consulting Group Inc., a Plymouth-based company, chose Mageary over three others following an Assessment Center comprised of an expert panel that interviewed the candidates, asked their responses to real-life situations, graded them and recommended the top candidate to the mayor.

“Honestly, I never expected to get this far,” Mageary told The Item following the event. “It wasn’t a goal, it just kind of happened.”

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

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy speaks with The Item in her office at Lynn City Hall.

By THOMAS GRILLO

LYNN — Starting this summer, Lynn will no longer be the state’s largest municipality without a city planner.  

Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy has proposed to fill the planning position that has been vacant for nearly 25 years.

“I’ve wanted to get a planner for a long, long time and now’s the right time,” she said. “A planner will update zoning citywide and determine land usage as we plot the city’s future.”

The job, which is expected to cost up to $100,000 annually, comes as a recent study by RKG Associates Inc. in Boston called on the city to improve planning, regulatory and zoning functions by creating a planning office led by a professional to institute permitting that is transparent, streamlined and fair. Other consultants have called for the establishment of a centralized planning division that would lead the city’s redevelopment efforts.

Kennedy said the impetus to create the job followed a conversation with James M. Cowdell, executive director of the Lynn Economic Development and Industrial Corp. (EDIC), the city’s development bank. The two discussed how the city once employed a grant writer that was paid for by EDIC and the city’s Department of Community Development.

“We thought maybe we could do that for the planner,” she said.

Kennedy has asked EDIC and the Community Development office to each come up with 50 percent of the salary.

Cowdell said the addition of a planner to City Hall is a positive step that he supports.

When he was hired in 1987, Cowdell said there was a full planning department. Since it disbanded in 1990, the city has  spent money on consultants to fill the void.

“The department dissolved when the planning director retired and the agency’s functions were integrated into other departments,” he said. “It makes sense to hire a planner. It will be a welcome addition to the city.”

While the job description has not been written, the new hire will be responsible to determine land use, he said.

“Our zoning ordinances are outdated and the planner will take that on as a project,” he said.

New era begins for Lynn police

Jason Denoncourt, economic development director for U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), praised the city for the decision.

“A planner is an essential piece of the puzzle,” he said. “It’s great they are considering it and smart planning will pay for itself.”

Gordon R. Hall, chairman of the Lynn Business Partnership, said, “This is something we’ve wanted for the city for a long time; we applaud the decision by the mayor.”

James Marsh, community development director, said he welcomes the chance to add to his team and fill the planning role in-house.

“Whether it’s assisting us in laying out public space around a new development, participating in design review or working on transportation concepts, we will lean on a city planner from day one.”

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

Lona St. Cyr Abare, 83, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. She lost a long battle with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Over the last several years she moved from her home in Boxford to Haverhill Crossings in Haverhill.

Lona was born Jan. 13, 1934 in Lynn, the daughter of Leo and Alliette (Plourde) St. Cyr. Lona graduated from St. Jean de Baptist in West Lynn in 1952. Later, she graduated from Salem Teacher’s College in 1956, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Lona was married to Jack Abare, her beloved husband of 60 years on Aug. 11, 1956, in Lynn at St. Jean de Baptist Church.

Lona taught at Northfield High School in Northfield, Vt., from 1956 to 1957. In addition, Lona owned and managed an upscale hair salon in Topsfield in the 1980s. Lona will be remembered as a faithful and altruistic person. Lona will also be remembered as a person that gave considerable time and energy to helping people less fortunate. As a religious person, Lona contributed significant time to teaching CCD to children. In addition, Lona was active at St. Mary’s Church in Georgetown for many years. Some of her interests included rearing Arabian horses, cooking, gardening and swimming. As a person who was avid at raising horses, Lona became a member of the 4-H club in Boxford. Some of her gardening and horse rearing occurred at her beloved farm, Sugar Hill Farm in Northfield, Vt. She was a true partner to her husband Jack in hosting and sponsoring parties for his alma mater, Norwich University. The partnership of Jack and Lona continues to be well known in the Norwich University Community for its dedicated philanthropy.

Survivors include her husband, Jack Abare of Salem, N.H., her son, John Abare and his wife Denita of Reno, Nev., her son Paul Abare of Northfield, Vt., her son David Abare and his wife Kimberly of Salem, N.H., and her son Mark Abare of Haverhill. She also leaves behind her brother Robert St. Cyr of Milford, N.H., her brother Normand St. Cyr of Danvers, her brother Richard St. Cyr of Manchester, N.H., and her sister Rita Surette of Reading, Mass. In addition, Lona leaves behind seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. The seven grandchildren include Samantha Austin, Tabitha Smith, Vanessa Abare, Rachel Abare, James P. Abare, David Abare, and Garrett Abare. The four great-grandchildren include, Mika Austin, Kelton Austin, Lennox Delano, and Nickolas Delano.

Service information: Family and friends are cordially invited to attend her funeral Mass on Monday, March 13 at 10 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, Andover Street, Georgetown. Interment will be held at the Norwich University Cemetery, Northfield, Vt., at a later date. Calling Hours will be held on Sunday from 1-5 p.m. in the CONTE-GIAMBERARDINO Funeral Home, 14 Pleasant St., Georgetown. For those who wish, Lona may be remembered through donations to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, 3152 Little Road, Suite 146, Trinity, FL 34655 or www.alzheimersresearchfoundation.com.?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

For funeral home directions, florists or accommodations, please visit Cgfuneralhomegeorgetown.com.

FILE PHOTO
Jalen Echevarria (middle) and the Spartans will battle against Lowell Catholic on Friday night in Tewksbury. 

By DAVE BROWN

Last season, the St. Mary’s boys basketball team trounced Lowell Catholic, 68-49, in the Division 4 North semifinal en route to a state championship. If the Spartans want to repeat this year, they’ll have to get past the Crusaders again.

The No. 3 Spartans will clash against No. 5 Lowell Catholic in Friday’s Division 4 North final at Tewksbury High.

Given that last season’s championship run included a win over Lowell Catholic, the Spartans know what type of team team the Crusaders are.

“They have two very good guards,” St. Mary’s coach Dave Brown said. “Their point guard (Isaiah Holmes) averages over 20 points a game. He’s a great ball-handler. They have a very good shooter (Tom Desmond) as well that averages 20 points a game. They’re driven by their point guard and shooting guard.”

On the defensive end, “They play defense down-low with man to man but they also play zone so we have to prepare for both,” Brown said.

St. Mary’s faced its share of injuries in the early stages this season. Now that the Spartans are at full health, the team is playing a complete brand of basketball. In wins over No. 11 Winthrop (68-56) and No. 7 Pope John (60-48), defense has been key.

“Earlier we were battling injuries but the last few games we’ve buckled down on defense and that’s great to see,” Brown said. “If you’re playing good defense you’ll always be in the game. If we play good defense and stay away from falling in love with the three-ball, usually good things happen.”

Good things are happening at St. Mary’s, as the Spartans are now three wins away from repeating as Division 4 state champions. Although they’re inching closer to reaching a goal that seemed lofty when the team lost Matt Cross for the season in December, Brown and the Spartans are taking a game by game approach.

“At this point you’re just going over the personnel of the other team,” Brown said. “You try to break down film of the opponents to see their strengths and weaknesses. We’ve won eight state tournament games in a row. You try to take it one win at a time but it would be great for our kids to go back to the (TD) Garden.”

This season’s team has been led by sophomore guard Jalen Echevarria, St. Mary’s leading scorer. The Spartans have no shortage of talented scorers, as Mike Cerulli, Stephen Fama, Jonathan Mola and Jonny Mercado can also impact a game on any given night.

On the bench, St. Mary’s relies on freshman Josh Perez, who scored 14 points in the win over Pope John on Tuesday night.

Despite having depth on the offensive end, Brown preaches defense.

“We drive on playing good defense,” Brown said. “We take pride in holding all of our opponents under 50 points a game.”

When Friday’s 7 p.m. tipoff takes place, the Spartans expect a full four-quarter effort from a Lowell Catholic group that stands at a strong 16-6 on the season. Given the tough schedule the Spartans have played this season, Brown feels his players are prepared for the challenge.

“We expect a battle,” Brown said. “They know we’ll play 110 percent for 32 minutes. Our kids are definitely battle-tested so we’re up for the task.”

Brown is also hopeful that Friday night’s contest will draw a large St. Mary’s contingent in the stands. The Spartans have drawn large crowds in each of their first two games and are looking for the trend to continue.

“I tell the kids there’s nothing like a high school tournament game,” Brown said. “There’s something about it that stands out. This is something the kids are enjoying and something they’ll remember for a long time.”

Brown added, “St. Mary’s had four teams last night that were still in the state tournament. I looked around the crowd the other night at Winthrop and saw a lot of Lynn faces. That’s really great to see.”

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

Phyllis Danieli, of 30 Franklin St., was arrested on a warrant charge of shoplifting by asportation at 3:03 p.m. Wednesday.

Marc Grogan, 25, of 70 Granite St., was arrested and charged with malicious damage to a motor vehicle at 1:25 p.m. Wednesday.

John McHale, 51, of 770 Mass Ave., Cambridge, was arrested on a courtesy booking at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday.

Jose Minaya, 56, of 137 Alley St., was arrested and charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of property damage, failure to stop for police and number plate violation at 2:57 p.m. Wednesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday at Zimman’s at 80 Market St.; at 8:19 p.m. Tuesday at Allen Avenue and Cook Street; at 7:31 a.m. Wednesday at 330 Maple St.; at 7:31 a.m. Wednesday at Ford and Maple streets; at 7:38 a.m. Wednesday at 668 Chestnut St.; at 8:21 a.m. Wednesday at Fay Street and Western Avenue; at 8:32 a.m. Wednesday at 42 Lincoln St.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 3:59 p.m. Tuesday at 793 Lynnway.

Assaults

A report of an assault and battery at 6:27 p.m. Tuesday on Essex Street.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 9:16 a.m. Wednesday at 52 Oakville St.

Complaints

A report of a gunshot at 4:11 p.m. Tuesday at 629 Eastern Ave.; at 5:13 a.m. Wednesday at 34 Hanover St.

A report of a disturbance at 4:16 p.m. Tuesday at Discount Liquors at 3 Market Square; at 6:09 p.m. Tuesday at JME at 164 Blossom St.; at 7:21 p.m. Tuesday at 111 Eutaw Ave.; at 9:40 p.m. Tuesday at 348 Chestnut St.; at 12:19 a.m. Wednesday at 106 Chestnut St.; at 2:28 a.m. Wednesday at 63 Lynnway; at 11:04 a.m. Wednesday on Blossom Street.

Overdose

A report of an overdose at 7:43 p.m. Tuesday on Chase Street.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 1:48 p.m. Tuesday at 38 Sylvia St.; at 3:41 p.m. Tuesday at Tracy Elementary School at 32 Walnut St.; at 3:55 p.m. Tuesday at 525 Lynnway; at 3:02 a.m. Wednesday at 25 Hamilton Ave.; at 9:05 a.m. Wednesday at 3 Kingsley Terrace; at 9:52 a.m. Wednesday at 28 Nottingham Court.

A report of motor vehicle theft at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday at 29 New Ocean St.; at 2:16 p.m. Wednesday at 534 Essex St.

Police log: 3-8-2017

MARBLEHEAD

Arrests

Heidi L. Mohrlang, 51, of 21 Edge St., Ipswich, was arrested on a warrant at 10:59 p.m. Tuesday.

Accidents

A report of a pedestrian hit by a motor vehicle at 1:19 p.m. Tuesday at Pleasant and School streets. Police reported the male hit was conscious and alert. One person was taken to Salem Hospital.

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 4:12 p.m. Tuesday on Elm Street.

Complaints

A report of suspicious activity at 3:11 p.m. Tuesday on Rockaway Avenue. A caller reported she heard her dogs bark and then footsteps in the house. Police reported the front door was open

A report of a road rage incident at 4:41 p.m. Tuesday at Leggs Hill Road and Tedesco Street. A caller reported she got into a road rage incident while driving to the YMCA on Leggs Hill Road and stated a man driving a white Honda utility pulled in front of her “almost like blocking me in.” She stated he pulled a “green vest out of the car” as he was yelling at her and told her that “he was yelling that he was going to take (her) plate down,” and claimed that he was a police officer. Police reported the man’s plate number came up as out of Danvers. Danvers Police stated they were familiar with the man.

A report of a disturbance at 10:59 p.m. Tuesday on Widger Road. A caller reported an SUV parked in front of her house blasting music for more than 20 minutes. Heidi L. Mohrlang, 51, of 21 Edge St., Ipswich, was arrested on a warrant; at 11:19 p.m. Tuesday on Creesy Street.

Fire

A report of an oven fire at 10:34 a.m. Tuesday on Heritage Way. A caller reported she had an oven fire and was able to extinguish it, but the house was very smoky.

PEABODY

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 2:16 p.m. Tuesday on Priscilla Lane; at 3:25 p.m. Tuesday at 550 Lowell St. and 232 Newbury St.; at 5:27 p.m. Tuesday at 7 Summit St. and 33 Centennial Drive; at 8:32 a.m. Wednesday at Holden Oil at 91 Lynnfield St.; at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday at Andover Street and Route 128 South; at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday at 35 Sutton St.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 9:20 p.m. Tuesday at Maddy’s Car Wash at 300 Andover St. Loud music was reported; at 4:58 a.m. Wednesday on Avalon Drive. A caller reported a car by the dumpsters playing abnormally loud music. Police reported there were no vehicles playing music on the property; at 5:32 a.m. Wednesday at Five Guys at 227 Andover St. Police gave a disposal trash truck driver a warning for picking up garbage before 7 a.m. and would issue a citation in the future if it happens again.

A report of suspicious activity at 10:55 p.m. Tuesday at Lowell Street and Route 128 North. A caller reported a male crawling in front of a vehicle. Police reported checking the area and there were no cars in the vicinity; at 1:16 a.m. Wednesday at 6 Sylvia Road. A caller reported an unknown person was in her car looking through it. Police reported the concerns were unfounded and that the car was securely locked.

Theft

A larceny of agenda books was reported at 1:26 p.m. Wednesday at 6 Sylvia Road.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 4:29 p.m. Tuesday at T.J. Maxx at 637 Lowell St. The driver’s side of a car was keyed.

REVERE

Arrests

Branden D. Bannister, 28, of 8 Coventry St., Apt. 42, Roxbury, was arrested on a warrant at 4:32 p.m. Tuesday.

Fabio Leon Jimenez, 51, of 10 Yeamans St., Apt. 22, was arrested on a warrant at 5:59 a.m. Tuesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 8:43 a.m. Tuesday at Rumney Marsh on American Legion Highway; at 6:09 p.m. Tuesday at GNC on Squire Road.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 8:49 a.m. Tuesday on Fowler Avenue; at 4:16 p.m. Tuesday on Beach Street; at 10:26 p.m. Tuesday on Cleveland Street.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 9:55 p.m. Tuesday at Planet Fitness on Charger Street.

By GAYLA CAWLEY

LYNN — Police are investigating after a shooting left an Eastern Avenue apartment damaged on Tuesday.

Police responded to a report of gunshots at 629 Eastern Ave. shortly after 4 p.m. The resident of Apartment 8, a 25-year-old man, let them in and showed officers a bullet hole in the living room ceiling wall. He also showed police a discharge round on the floor, and told them the shooting had just happened, Lynn Police Lt. Rick Donnelly said.

Officers went to the upstairs apartment, directly above the damaged unit, and found no one there, but they did see a bullet hole going down to the other floor, Donnelly said.

The incident is under investigation.

Police log: 3-9-2017

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

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy speaks with The Item in her office at Lynn City Hall.

We support Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy in her decision announced on Tuesday to hire a city planner.

Hiring a planner will allow city officials to replace the blunt instrument they are now using to craft Lynn’s development policy with a laser capable of precisely defining city objectives. To his credit, Lynn Economic Development and Industrial Corporation (EDIC) Executive Director James M. Cowdell advised Kennedy on the value of hiring a planner.

Cowdell has played a major role since Kennedy took office in 2010 in propelling the city’s development goals forward. His fingerprints are on the progress made downtown and on the waterfront.

But Cowdell heads a local agency with a specific mandate just as veteran Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development Executive Director Charles Gaeta has a mandate for his agency and Community Development Director James Marsh has one for his office.

The exact parameters for the planning job are still to be defined, but we urge Kennedy to make sure the planning office is an autonomous city department. For her part, the mayor has made it clear the planner will be a different breed of cat than the city’s three directors.

Successful planners in other communities demonstrate an ability to understand the big picture when it comes to their community’s growth and development objectives. They also understand the tiny mosaic pieces that compose that picture.

A strong Lynn planner will have relationships with the agencies overseen by Gaeta, Marsh and Cowdell and he or she will also need to build deep community relationships.

Kennedy plans to hire a city planner

Former Planner Kevin R. Geaney, in a 1983 Item interview, discussed the relationship between planning professionals and local appointed and elected officials. The single word defining that relationship, in Geaney’s view, is “consensus.”

With that watchword in mind, a city planner can be viewed as a gatekeeper — someone who is an initial point of contact for a developer or business with a relocation or expansion plan. A skilled planner can assess how a development vision or business idea fits into the city’s overall development plan and also assess how a proposal conforms with or clashes with local zoning code and ordinances.

Lynn has benefited from the shared expertise and vision provided during Kennedy’s tenure by Gaeta, Cowdell and Marsh. But progress has been tempered by the lack of a single professional serving as a point person for someone viewing Lynn’s potential for the first time.

As Kennedy begins to define the planner’s job description, we invite her to research how communities such as Salem and Saugus, Boston and Somerville, have used planners and how they define the planner’s role.

The end result of that research is the successful hiring of a planner who can bring a laser focus to the task of enhancing Lynn’s future.

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ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
At 96, Margaret Connelly is the oldest-living retiree from City Hall.

By GAYLA CAWLEY

LYNN — Margaret Connelly, 96, will be informally honored as the oldest living City Hall retiree next week at the Porthole Restaurant, where her 48-year career with the Department of Public Works will be celebrated.

A celebration will be held for Connelly, a lifelong Lynn resident and St. Mary’s High School graduate, at the pub on March 16 at noon. Some of the attendees will include former City Hall employees, with most of them from the DPW department.

“I don’t think I deserve it,” said Connelly. “I loved my job.”

Connelly began her City Hall career in 1942 as a junior clerk in the DPW department after taking a civil service exam. At the time, she said it was just a street department. She studied business in college. She retired in 1990 as the senior clerk of the DPW.

She was recognized by former Mayor Albert DiVirgilio in 1990, when she was given a key to the city and a plaque for her 48 years of dedicated service to Lynn.

Gary Brenner, executive director of the Lynn Retirement Board, said it was safe to say Connelly was the oldest living City Hall retiree. He said he worked with her for awhile.

“She helped everyone,” Brenner said. “She was a great, great woman … I knew her for like 13 years when she was working. She was the head clerk in the DPW office. Everyone knew her. She was just a very, very nice woman.”

A great plan for Lynn

Doris Harewood, 88, said she worked with Connelly for more than 20 years. The two have remained friends. She joked that having Connelly as a boss wasn’t easy.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better boss,” Harewood said. “I don’t think there was anyone (else) that I would have liked to have worked with.”

Connelly credits her late mother for her success. She said she had the greatest mother in the world, who she called the hardest worker she knew. She said she had a good family that made due with what they had, despite not having an awful lot growing up.

Many of her family members worked for the DPW, with Connelly’s caretaker, Laurie Mignault, 41, joking that nepotism was rampant at the time. Both her husband and only son, each named James, worked for the department. Her husband died after working in the blizzard of 1978, and her son died seven years ago.

Throughout the years, Connelly said the DPW grew. She went from running the department without any technology to adapting her skills when computers were introduced. She said she especially loved doing the word processing on the computer, as space was saved with the paper’s margins. Before computers, Connelly ran the city from a filing cabinet, Mignault added.

“I loved my job,” said Connelly. “I love the people I worked with. They were the greatest bunch of girls. We were like one big family … You’re only as good as the people who work for you.”

In her retirement, Connelly spends her days listening to Irish music and dancing. She also loves big band music. She follows a physical therapy regimen. Mignault said her client has made a full recovery from being disabled after the 14 strokes and 19 seizures she’s had in the past two years. She said Connelly has worked really hard at recovery.

“She refused to be the way she was,” Mignault said. “She said she had to get back to work.”

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

LYNN — Mr. Mark T. Currier, age 61, of Lynn, died on Monday, March 6, 2017, at his home, after being stricken suddenly. He was the loving husband of the late Marilyn (Kinsey) Currier, who predeceased him in May of 2004.

Born in Lynn on Oct. 11, 1955, Mark was the son of the late Willard H. Jr., and Patricia A. (Conlin) Currier. He was raised in Lynn and has been a lifelong resident of the city. Mark attended Lynn Public Schools and graduated from Lynn English High School in 1974. He went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in History and a Master’s Degree in Education both at University of Massachusetts, Boston.

Mark was a popular teacher at Lynn Classical High School for many years and served as a National Honor Society, Teacher Advisor. He helped organize a yearly community service event at My Brother’s Table with the National Honor Society and spent many hours as a volunteer. He was a member of the Lynn Teacher’s Union and served as a steward.

Mark was a musician, writer and poet. He played guitar and sang, often many of the songs that he composed. He was also a manager at The Tides Restaurant in Nahant for more than 20 years.

Mark is survived by his brothers Willard H. Currier III and his wife Kathleen of Naples, Fla., Wayne T. Currier and his wife Doris of Walkersville, Md, Matthew J. Currier and his wife Donna of Lynn and Jason Currier of Belmont, Mass.; his sister Kathleen Long and her husband Jack of Keene, N.H.; his step-daughters Kristen Garcia of Derry, N.H., Meredith Hickey and Pamela Ingalls both of Stoneham, Mass.; his six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Service information: A Funeral service will be held on Friday, March 10, 2017, in the SOLIMINE Funeral Home, 67 Ocean St. (Rt. 1A), Lynn, MA at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visitation period will be prior to the service on Friday from 9-11 a.m. Donations in Mark’s memory may be made to My Brother’s Table, 98 Willow St., Lynn, MA 01901. Directions and online guestbook at Solimine.com.

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Pictured is the boys’ locker room at the Pickering Middle School.

By THOMAS GRILLO

LYNN — If you’re undecided or planning to vote against construction of two middle schools in next week’s special election, Kevin Rittershaus wants to meet you.

The principal of the Pickering Middle School has hundreds of reasons why voters should vote yes. If approved on Tuesday, the city would spend $188.5 million to build a three-story middle school on Parkland Avenue and a four-story one on Commercial Street.

“This is an ancient building trying to do 21st century education,” he said. “Every inch of space is used for something, former closets have been turned into offices while counselors and music teachers are working in corridors. Come and see my school and compare it with what kids get at the new Marshall Middle School.”

Rittershaus, who has worked at Pickering since the late 1990s and is now in his fourth year as principal, brought The Item on a tour of the worn-out grade 6-8 school on Conomo Avenue Wednesday.

There’s peeling paint on the auditorium’s tin ceiling and water damage on the walls. The special education and health teachers share an office, making private sessions impossible. The computer lab has three dozen dated personal computers for 620 students.

Let the transformation begin in Malden

The school adjustment counselor has a table in a 250-square-foot corridor space to meet students. The school’s library was closed because it was needed for a classroom. It was the same story with home economics. Down the hall, the school’s original lockers have never been replaced and a music room in a hallway is shared with a vending machine. The boiler room resembles a scene out of “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”

The art room lacks a sink, easels, drawing tables and storage space.

Angeliki Russell, the school’s art teacher, said while students create art good enough to be hung, the children would be better served with more space, sinks, higher tables, improved lighting, better chairs and places to store art materials.

Because of overcrowding, Pickering has four, one-half lunch periods that start at 11 a.m. just to fit all the kids in.

Joseph Smart, the city’s building and grounds director, said the roof leaks and water has damaged the historic tin ceilings.

“The building needs a new roof,” he said. “The auditorium was painted in 2014, it’s already peeling.”

In a section of the building that is below grade, moisture is coming through the brick and onto the plaster.

“We’ve done numerous repairs, but to do it right we’d have to dig it out, weatherproof it and do the inside work,” he said.

The city’s Inspectional Services Department estimates it will cost $44.2 million to renovate the 99,000-square-foot facility.

Proponents say it makes more sense to build a new school. The vote on Tuesday asks property owners to be responsible for $91.4 million or 51.5 percent of the total project cost. School officials said $11 million in contingency funds are included in the overall cost. If those monies are not used, it would reduce the taxpayer portion by that amount, making the taxpayers’ bill about $80 million.

The city said the average single-family homeowner would boost the tax bill to just under $200 more per year for 25 years. For multi-family units, the city estimates the added cost per year would range from $257-$269.

Rittershaus said there are lots of misconceptions about the project. For example, he said parents have told him that the land for the Parkland Avenue school belongs to Lynn Woods Reservation or the Pine Grove Cemetery, but in fact the land is owned by the city, he said.

“People don’t realize the work that’s gone into studying site selection,” he said. “We’ve spent days analyzing the potential locations and not one of them is ideal for everyone.”

On Tuesday, the Pine Grove Cemetery Commission took no action on a plan to transfer 32 acres from the city to the cemetery for a possible expansion, according to James Lamanna, the city’s attorney. In exchange, the commission was expected to provide about 12 acres to the city for the Parkland Avenue school to avoid any potential lawsuit.

“I am still hopeful it will happen, but it won’t happen before the election,” he said.

Construction of the school on Parkland Avenue has generated opposition from neighbors who argue the land should be preserved to expand the cemetery. In addition, opponents insist it will exacerbate traffic problems while others say they are being squeezed enough and can’t afford to pay more taxes.

State Rep. and City Councilor Daniel Cahill said it’s time to build the new schools.

“School buildings were not made to last 100 years,” he said.

New era begins for Lynn police

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

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Dr. Alina Reznik, an optometrist at Lynn Community Eye Care Services, talks about International Women’s Day.

By LEAH DEARBORN

LYNN — Solidarity for International Women’s Day took many different forms on Wednesday.

Women were encouraged to take the day off from work, avoid shopping and wear red as part of A Day Without a Woman, an offshoot of the Women’s March that drew out thousands of protesters in January.

For many women across the North Shore, however, taking a break from the daily grind wasn’t an option.

“I think if we weren’t here, women would suffer and that’s not contributing to the cause,” said Cindy Steger–Wilson, director of marketing and communications at Lynn Community Health Center. “We are celebrating by being here to serve the women in our community.”

Lynn Community optometrist Dr. Alina Reznik said she sees too many patients to even consider taking a day off.

Instead, Reznik urged that women honor the event by taking care of themselves and their health.  

Education coordinator Teresa Martinez of North Shore Family Daycare in Lynn said she didn’t know of any employees who elected to stay home.

“There’s a better way to show support other than by calling out,” she said.

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A few businesses in the area did opt to keep their doors closed.

“By ensuring that women have pay equity, a livable wage and paid leave, businesses can demonstrate that their long-term actions align with the values we are standing up for on this day,” said a Facebook post by Salem diner The Ugly Mug.

Others, such as Deanne Healey, president of the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce, were less sure of the ideal way to mark the occasion.  

“I have conflicted feelings,” said Healey. “I applaud the point they’re trying to make. It’s just difficult to pull off. It’s even harder as a small business.”

Diane Calver, owner of DiHard Fitness in Peabody, employs almost entirely women.   

She said that while everyone came into work on Wednesday, the business will host an all-female spin class dedicated to International Women’s Day on Friday.

“I’m a hardworking female myself,” said Calver. “Anything to do with helping women, I’m all for.”

On ‘A Day Without a Woman,’ where will you be?

Leah Dearborn can be reached at ldearborn@itemlive.com.

LYNN — Mrs. Barbara Lillian (Kirk) Davis, 93, of Lynn, died on Monday March 6, 2017, at the LifeCare Center, Lynn, after a lengthy illness. She was the wife of the late Clifford V. Davis.

Born in Lynn and raised in Ipswich, she was the daughter of the late Chester W. and Dorothy (Spinney) Kirk. She was a graduate of Ipswich High School, Class of 1941, and had earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Boston University in 1945. After living short periods in California, Washington, Salem, and Beverly, she has lived in Lynn since 1952.

Barbara was a teacher for the Lynn School Department for 30 years and retired in 1983. She worked at the Sisson School for many of those years and had volunteered at the Sisson School in Lynn four days per week from 1984 until 2004. The years she volunteered, her only compensation was the satisfaction of helping the little ones with their reading and numbers.

She was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church and of the former Wesley and Maple Street United Methodist Churches. Barbara was also a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority and the Phi Beta Kappa Society.

She leaves “her family by choice”; Marsha and Dean Robinson and family of Lynn. She was also the sister of the late Henry Robert Denning and Chester William Kirk.

Service information: A funeral service will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. in the SOLIMINE Funeral Home 426 Broadway (Rte. 129), Lynn, followed by burial in Pine Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. Donations in her memory may be made to a charity of your choice or you could read a story to a child. Directions and guestbook at Solimine.com.

LYNN — Mary Margret Joyce, a life-long resident of Lynn, passed away on Monday, March 6, 2017, at the age of 71.

Born in Lynn on Nov. 26, 1945, she was the daughter of the late Hugh A. and Mary T. (Martin) Joyce. Mary was raised and educated in Lynn and was a graduate of St. Mary’s Girls High School with the Class of 1963. After high school, Mary attended and graduated from Burdett College in Lynn. She worked for 30 years with the General Electric Co. as an executive secretary.

Mary leaves her sister, Kathy Walsh of Lynn as well as her cousins, Michael Derby and his family of Lynn and Bridget Martin of Galway, Ireland. Many other cousins in Ireland also survive her.

Service information: A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, March 13, 2017, in St. Mary’s Church, 8 So. Common St. in Lynn at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Lynn. Family and friends are invited to gather in CUFFE-McGINN Funeral Home, 157 Maple St., Lynn, prior to the funeral from 8:45-10 a.m. for a period of visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For directions, please visit: Cuffemcginn.com.

LYNN — Ann Marie (Osborne) McCarthy, age 83, a lifelong resident of Lynn, passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. Born in Lynn, Ann was the daughter of the late James and Mary (Roache) Osborne.

She graduated from St. Mary’s High School, Lynn, with the Class of 1951. She was the loving and devoted mother of George McCarthy and his wife, Katherine of Cohasset, Gregory McCarthy of Lynn, Peg Duffy and her husband, Donald of Wenham, Suzanne McCarthy of Beverly, Kathleen McCarthy of Salem, and Christine Kidney and her husband, James of Lynn; the dear sister of James Osborne and his wife, Helen of Brockton and the late Richard Osborne and Eileen Halley; the cherished grandmother of 15 grandchildren and one great-grandson, Ronan; and the aunt of several nieces and nephews.

Service information: Ann’s funeral will be held from the CUFFE-McGINN Funeral Home, 157 Maple St., Lynn, on Tuesday, March 14, at 9:30 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, 8 South Common St., Lynn at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends invited. Interment will be private. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, March 13, from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Ann’s memory may be made to the Lynn Home for Elderly Persons, One Atlantic Terrace, Lynn, MA 01902. For the online guestbook please visit Cuffemcginn.com.

COURTESY PHOTO BY SALEM STATE ATHLETICS
Medford’s John Needham and the Salem State Vikings will battle against Norwich on Saturday night. 

By JOSHUA KUMMINS

While conference and NCAA tournaments are all underway on the hardwood, “March Madness” is really just beginning in hockey.

Last weekend was an exciting one for Lynn’s Katie Burt and Medford’s John Needham as their respective teams ― the Boston College women and Salem State men ― won conference championships and clinched automatic berths to national postseason play.

Burt and the Eagles won their second straight Women’s Hockey East title after a previous five-year drought, playing a combined three overtimes to defeat Vermont and Northeastern in the semifinal and championship games.

“It was definitely an emotional rollercoaster, but I think we battled all weekend, which was really a true testament to our team this year,” said Burt, whose Eagles entertain St. Lawrence Saturday at 1 p.m. in the national quarterfinals.

“We had a ‘never quit’ attitude. No matter what is thrown at us, we find a way to overcome it.”

Burt was at her best in the biggest moments en route to BC’s third league title in program history, while the rest of the Eagles proved their junior goaltender’s point.

After allowing Northeastern’s only goal in the first period of Sunday’s Hockey East title game, Burt stopped all 19 shots she faced over the final two frames and finished with 31 saves, her second-highest total of the season.

Burt was also named to the Hockey East All-Tournament Team for the first time in her career. She also made 28 saves in the 4-3, double-overtime triumph over Vermont.

The victory over the Huskies marked the BC’s 27th of the year, lifting it to the tournament’s No. 4 seed and another NCAA home game.

“In the past, we’ve seen some teams (in the tournament) that we’re more familiar with, so getting a new team is kind of a breath of fresh air,” said Burt, whose 90 career wins are tied for seventh-most in NCAA history. “We knew that we’d get in no matter what if we won Hockey East, but it was a relief to know we didn’t have to rely on other teams … and to get home ice.”

The Eagles’ NCAA run fell a game short last season as they defeated Northeastern and Clarkson in the first two rounds of national tournament play before falling to Minnesota in the national title game in Durham, N.H.

This year, they’re hoping to reverse that luck and extend “Trophy Season” again.

“It would be really special,” Burt said. “We made program history (with a 40-1 record) last season, and we’re looking to do that again. But, the only way we can make any more history is to win it.”

A pair of local teams are in the Division III men’s national bracket as Salem State and Endicott each won their respective conference championships. The Vikings, champions of the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) for the second straight season, head to No. 1 Norwich for a 7 p.m. Saturday puck drop.

The road to last year’s MASCAC title ran through Rockett Arena as the Vikings won 16 of their 18 conference games, but this year’s SSU team had to win it away from home.

After compiling a 15-9-3 overall record and 12 league wins this winter, the Vikings scored four straight goals in the second period of Saturday’s MASCAC title game to snag a 4-3 win at top-seeded Plymouth State.

“It was a great game and awesome to win the championship, but we’re really trying to look past that and focus on our next objective,” said Needham, whose 10 goals rank second on the team. “That win definitely gives us confidence. We’re more than happy to be here, and we’re just trying to win.”

Needham sees the opportunity to play the nation’s top team as an exciting one. In fact, the Vikings also played Norwich in NCAAs when Needham was a freshman.

“If anything, they have all the pressure on them,” Needham said. “They’re almost supposed to win the game, so we’re definitely loose and everyone’s feeling good around the locker room.”

Led by two All-MASCAC selections in freshman defenseman Callum Hofford and senior forward Brandon Platt, Salem enters the national tournament on a four-game winning streak and as winners in 10 of their last 12 games.

“We’re looking to carry momentum and confidence,” said the Vikings’ 35th-year head coach Bill O’Neill, a Lynn native. “This is a fantastic hockey team, so we’re looking at this game as a great opportunity for us … Each game, the energy, the stakes and everything is higher. The guys know that, so we’re going to see how we handle that and what we can bring into this game.”

Endicott powered its way through the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) and boasts a 23-3-2 record, including a current 11-game winning streak. The Gulls, ranked seventh in the D3hockey.com Top 15, open their first-ever NCAA Tournament Saturday night at No. 4/5 Hobart.

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

Joshua Miles, 18, of 83 Bow Ridge Road, was arrested and charged with operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license at 7:41 p.m. Wednesday.

Bunly Phok was arrested on a warrant charge of armed robbery at 8:18 p.m. Wednesday.

Wilfredo Sanchez, 46, of 45 Thistle St., was arrested and charged with malicious wanton property defacement and on warrant charges of four counts of operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license, OUI drugs, number plate violation to conceal, unregistered motor vehicle, uninsured motor vehicle/trailer, motor vehicle not meeting safety standards, no inspection/sticker and motorcycle equipment violation at 7:53 p.m. Wednesday.

Emmett Smith, 57, of 514 Western Ave., was arrested and charged with operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license and OUI liquor at 9:46 p.m. Wednesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 2:19 p.m. Wednesday on Alley Street; at 2:33 p.m. Wednesday at 353 Essex St.; at 6:14 p.m. Wednesday at 235 Parkland Ave.; at 6:26 p.m. Wednesday at 50 Goodridge St.; at 6:39 p.m. Wednesday at 344 Chatham St.; at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday at 680 Western Ave.; at 6:25 a.m. Thursday on Commercial Street; at 8:34 a.m. Thursday at 11 Circle Ave.; at 9:55 a.m. Thursday at 180 Essex St.; at 1:27 p.m. Thursday at Chatham and Marianna streets.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 12:49 p.m. Thursday at 560 Summer St.

Assaults

A report of an assault and battery at 9:35 a.m. Thursday on Pleasant Street.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 4:24 p.m. Wednesday at 79 Park St.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 6:16 p.m. Wednesday at 40 Broad St.; at 8:05 p.m. Wednesday at 113 Rockaway St.; at 8:39 p.m. Wednesday at 130 Chatham St.; at 6 a.m. Thursday at 30 Franklin St.; at 6:25 a.m. Thursday at 30 Franklin St.; at 8:03 a.m. Thursday at 58 Atlantic St.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 2:52 p.m. Wednesday at Dunkin’ Donuts at 116 Lewis St.; at 3:23 p.m. Wednesday at 20 Heath’s Court; at 11:33 a.m. Thursday at 55 Casco Road.

Police log: 3-9-2017

MARBLEHEAD

Complaints

A report of a man trying door handles at 9:57 a.m. Wednesday on Devereux Street. A caller reported a man trying car doors. The suspect was described as in his 30’s, with a beard, on a half-spray painted mountain bike.

A caller reported at 1:43 p.m. Wednesday on Harbor View Lane that the neighbors’ kids ride go-karts in the roadway and it creates a disturbance for her and the dogs in the area. She stated she has spoken to the parents of the kids twice, and will speak to them once more before contacting police. She stated she was trying to be sensitive and not involve the police, but that doesn’t seem to be working so far.

A report of suspicious activity at 4:39 p.m. Wednesday on Lime Street. A caller reported being concerned about an elderly woman by the turn-around, who may have dementia, as she was talking about owning the farm and rebuilding.

A caller reported at 6:36 p.m. Wednesday on Pleasant Street that he was throwing a bottle in the dumpster at the school and a custodian came out, accusing him of dumping drugs and alcohol. Police reported it was a misunderstanding as the caller was dumping bottles and empty chew.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 8:13 a.m. Wednesday on Humphrey Street.

PEABODY

Arrests

Leroy Scott, 27, of 149 Beach 92nd St., Queens, New York, was arrested and charged with six counts of credit card fraud, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and assault and battery on a police officer at 3:23 p.m. Wednesday.

Federico Lopez, 23, was arrested and charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle at 12:12 p.m. Thursday.

Kristen M. Williams, 31, of 107 Lynn St., Apt. 1, was arrested on a warrant at 9:06 a.m. Thursday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 8:53 a.m. Thursday at 154 Lowell St. A 13-year-old was taken to North Shore Children’s Hospital; at 12 p.m. Thursday at Tedeschi Food Shops at 115 Main St.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 9:15 a.m. Thursday at Access Peabody at 4 First Ave. A vending machine was reported vandalized. Police reported the machine was broken into and items were removed.

A report of a motor vehicle breaking and entering at 11:56 a.m. Thursday at 64 Walsh Ave.

Fire

A report of a car fire at 8:22 p.m. Wednesday at 12R Holten St. A caller reported the car fire was in the driveway next to the house and other cars. Peabody Fire Department extinguished the fire. The car was towed.

Theft

A report of three stolen bikes at 11:38 a.m. Thursday at 19 Trask Road.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 10:26 a.m. Thursday at 19 Swampscott Ave. Police received a report of a tree branch that fell on a car.

REVERE

Arrests

Joseph Daniel Dulcetta, 32, of 4 Jordan St., Apt. 1, was arrested on a warrant at 6:23 p.m. Wednesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 2:13 p.m. Wednesday on North Shore Road.

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Ward Street and Broadway; at 7:53 p.m. Wednesday at North Shore Road and Oak Island Street. Jude C. Odimegwu, 60, of 109 Selwyn Road, Randolph, was summoned for uninsured motor vehicle.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 12:11 a.m. Wednesday on Suffolk Avenue; at 12:28 a.m. Wednesday at Caruso Northgate Apartments on Lantern Road; at 9:12 a.m. Wednesday on Beach Street; at 11:33 a.m. Wednesday at Market Basket on Squire Road; at 6:14 p.m. Wednesday at 7-Eleven on North Shore Road; at 10:16 p.m. Wednesday at Caruso Northgate Apartments on Lantern Road.

Theft

A report of a larceny/forgery/fraud at 11:56 a.m. Wednesday on Woodland Road; at 1:27 p.m. Wednesday at Planet Fitness on Charger Street; at 2:58 p.m. Wednesday at Stop & Shop on Squire Road.

A report of a larceny at 9:14 p.m. Wednesday on Sumner Street.

A report of a larceny from a motor vehicle at 10:05 p.m. Wednesday at Comfort Inn & Suites on American Legion Highway.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 7:58 a.m. Wednesday on American Legion Highway.

SAUGUS

Arrests

Daniel G. Traina, of 7 Beachland Ave., was arrested and charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle at 3:14 a.m. Thursday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 6:33 a.m. Wednesday at Chestnut Street and Lincoln Avenue. One person was taken to Union Hospital.

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 4:07 p.m. Wednesday at 380 Lincoln Ave.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 4:10 p.m. Wednesday at 523 Walnut St.

Complaints

A report of suspicious activity at 9:22 a.m. Wednesday at 34 Myrtle St. Police reported an open door, but that the building appeared secure.

A report of a disturbance at 4:18 p.m. Wednesday at 20 Newhall Ave. A caller reported a road rage incident with a woman.

Fire

A report of an outside fire at 6:53 p.m. Wednesday at 59 Denver St. A caller reported some youths having an outside fire behind the building. Police reported the fire was extinguished and an area search was negative.

SWAMPSCOTT

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 7:50 a.m. Wednesday at 244 Humphrey St.; at 3:10 p.m. Wednesday at Burrill and Humphrey streets.

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Breakheart Reservation Park Supervisor John Aziz and Ranger Mike Bruce use a two-man saw.

By BRIDGET TURCOTTE

SAUGUS — Breakheart Reservation is carrying on one of the state’s sweetest traditions for the month of March.

On Saturday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteers at the state park will begin offering maple sugaring demonstrations to the public with an annual event that draws in crowds of about 500 people.

Last week, Gov. Charlie Baker declared March to be Massachusetts Maple Month in an effort to support the state’s maple producers and encourage residents to purchase locally-produced maple products.

“I am proud to recognize Massachusetts’ long-standing tradition of declaring March ‘Maple Month’ and encourage all residents and visitors to support our local maple syrup producers by purchasing Massachusetts maple products from one of the Commonwealth’s 300 maple producers,” Baker said in a statement.

Maple sugaring seasons lasts only as long as the days are warm and the nights are cold, but last year, more than 77,000 gallons of syrup was produced by about 300 producers in the maple sugaring industry.  Maple producers’ sales each year contribute more than $6 million to the Commonwealth’s economy. More than 1,000 workers are employed by the industry.

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At the event, guests will learn about the different phases of the process. They’ll  watch as wood is chopped with an ax and cut with a two-person saw, the trees tapped. They will visit the sugar shack, a small building where the sap is evaporated to create syrup.

The trees are tapped on the south side of the trunk, where they receive more sunlight and more sap is likely to drip. At the time it’s collected, the sap is 96 to 98 percent water, and between 2 and 4 percent sugar. In syrup form, it’s 66 percent sugar.

Storyteller John Porcino will perform at the amphitheatre at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. The Department of Conservation and Recreation Mounted Unit will be on site from 10 a.m. to noon. Guests can also gather around a campfire and toast marshmallows.

Pancakes with a sample of syrup will be served for free but a $5 donation will be requested to benefit The Friends of Breakheart and future programs. Wholefoods Melrose will also attend with healthy waffles as an alternative.

Schools in Lynn, Revere, Saugus, Wakefield, Everett, Melrose, Malden and Stoneham will take advantage of the special hour-and-15-minute long school program the following week.

The children will tour the property, following the process of creating maple sugaring from start to finish, then gather in the Christopher P. Dunne Visitor Center to sample maple syrup on french toast sticks and popcorn.

“I think Breakheart is such a valuable resource in our area,” said Visitor Services Supervisor Gillian Badwan. “There are a lot of towns that don’t have something like this. A lot of people of people call it a hidden gem.”

Park Supervisor Anthony Guthro said the free school program has been offered since 1988. The Lynnhurst Elementary School was the first to attend and has continued booking the field trip every year since.

The Friends of Breakheart will be selling maple syrup and maple candy. Proceeds will help the Friends and DCR continue to offer free programs to Massachusetts residents.

Bridget Turcotte can be reached at bturcotte@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @BridgeTurcotte

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Edward Calnan of the Pickering School Building Committee, Inspectional Services Department Director Michael Donovan and Superintendent Dr. Catherine Latham make the case for new schools.

By THOMAS GRILLO

LYNN — If voters reject the ballot initiative on Tuesday to build a pair of new middle schools, students face the possibility of split sessions, according to the superintendent.

“If we don’t build these schools, our sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders will be in double sessions in a very short period of time, possibly within two years,” said Dr. Catherine Latham.

Today, 3,100 students attend the city’s three middle schools. By 2020, enrollment is expected to soar by 20 percent, adding another 600 students to the mix.

“Our schools cannot sustain that many students,” she said. Under double sessions, one group of students would attend classes from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. while the next group would arrive at 1 p.m. and go until 5:30 p.m., she said.

In an interview with The Item’s editorial board on Thursday, Latham, Michael Donovan, Inspectional Services Department director, Edward Calnan, member of the Pickering Middle School Building Committee, and Thomas Iarrobino, secretary of the Lynn School Committee, made the case for the $188.5 million project.

If approved, a 652-student school would be built near the Pine Grove Cemetery and Breeds Pond Reservoir on Parkland Avenue. A second one to serve 1,008 students would be constructed on McManus Field on Commercial Street.

The new schools will add an additional $200 to the average tax bill for a single-family home each year for the next 25 years.

We’re not anti-education, ‘no’-voters say

Calnan said they explored more than a dozen potential sites, but they were dropped due to a variety of issues. Some were in a flood zone or marsh land, others had hazardous waste that precluded school construction. A site at Magnolia Street would boost building costs by as much as $800,000 to move a water pipe that serves Swampscott and Marblehead, officials said.

A vacant parcel on Rockdale Avenue and Verona Street was examined, but the committee found the tight residential neighborhood was difficult to access and is privately-owned. They also looked at General Electric Co. properties on Bennett Street and on Elmwood Avenue. But those were rejected because of environmental concerns, they said.

Latham said all of the city’s middle school students should have the same experience as those attending the new $67 million Thurgood Marshall Middle School.

Last spring, the 181,847-square-foot school opened for more than 1,000 students. The three buildings are divided by clusters, each distinguished by a different color. In addition to an outdoor courtyard, lots of natural light, the soundproof classrooms block any hint of the commuter rail trains that run past the rear of the school and the sounds of musical instruments from several music classes.  

In addition, there are suites for special education and art. The school boasts computer rooms complete with Apple computers. It contains home economics rooms, a woodworking shop, a television production studio and a health center.

Iarrobino, who serves as the liaison between the schools and the School Committee, said any discussion of school must include a link to the local economy.

“If folks are contemplating opening a business in Lynn, the first thing they will ask about is where will their employees attend school and what are the schools like,” he said. “We have an obligation to them and they have a right to the best quality education that is available to them, not just in the suburbs, but right here in an urban district.”  

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