City Council approves request for nonbinding ballot question on soccer stadium

By Neil Zolot

The Everett City Council is asking for a nonbinding ballot question on whether a soccer stadium should be built at 173 Alford Street/1 Dexter Street by entering into a Community Impact Agreement with The Kraft Group, owners of the New England Patriots football team and New England Revolution soccer team. The Council approved the resolution as introduced by Ward 5 Councillor Robert Van Campen at their meeting on Monday, August 11, but it will be up to Mayor Carlo DeMaria as to whether it happens.

The measure was approved 6-4 with Van Campen, Councillors-at-Large Guerline Alcy Jabouin and Michael Marchese, Ward 1 Councillor Wayne Matewsky, Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins and Ward 4 Councillor Holly Garcia voting in favor; and Councillors-at-Large John Hanlon, Katy Rogers and Stephanie Smith and Ward 3 Councillor Anthony DiPierro in dissent. Ward 6 Councillor Peter Pietrantonio was absent.

“My request is not to destroy or undermine the project,” Van Campen said. “It’s to give the people of Everett a greater voice in what’s happening. I recognize how transformative this can be, but it’s just a concept right now and people have strong views about whether to build a stadium. There’s been a complete disconnect from the current administration on this on community engagement. Give our people a voice in this conversation. If I was Mayor I’d want to hear from them.”

Van Campen, who is running for mayor, introduced the question at the April 14 meeting after a public forum on March 31. Another forum was held on April 30.

Rogers said she voted no because “a non-binding resolution gives people a false sense of control. We can vote no, and the state can still come in.” She also suggested that any agreement with the Krafts includes provisions for preferences for Everett residents for jobs and businesses for contracts, a traffic plan, an internal shuttle service for Everett residents attending events, funds for fire and police services in the area, use of the stadium by City entities and an eco-friendly environment without plastic bottles.

“Before we get something on the ballot we need more information,” Smith feels. “Residents need to understand what they’re voting for. The Mayor needs to come before us to tell us what’s going on behind closed doors,” a reference to information on negotiations between The Kraft Group and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

“How do you have a vote before you have an agreement?” DiPierro asked. “Putting it on the ballot is a waste of time.”

“I’m not in favor of the stadium no matter how much sugar coating you put on it,” Hanlon said before admitting, “I don’t know what you could put there.”

The members also passed a resolution conceived on the spot by Rogers to send the state legislature’s Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee a letter supporting a bottle bill for deposits on single serving liquor bottles, known as nips, after an appearance by State Senator Sal DiDomenico explaining the situation at the State House. He said a separate proposal to have a deposit on nips is being added to another bill to have deposits on water bottles and sports drinks as well as raise all deposits from five cents to 10. “We’re looking to get it out of Committee and onto the floor,” DiDomenico said. “I’m confident it will happen.”

An effect will be to reduce trash, including street trash. “We know anything with a deposit is redeemed and off the streets,” DiDomenico said. “Nips are a danger to the sewer system because they find their way into it because they’re small.”

The idea has also been endorsed by State Representative Joseph McConagle.

The Council also approved an item allowing Stephanie McColaugh to serve on the Conservation Commission and Planning Board at the same time.