Everett – A Year in Review: Top 10 stories for 2023

By James Mitchell

Out with the old, in with the new, and that’s just what Everett ended with in 2023 as the School Committee cut loose the contentious former Supt. of Schools Priya Tahiliani and hired a local, well-respected educator and leader, William Hart, in a unanimous vote. Tahiliani was placed on a paid leave of absence following allegations by 10 school employees – only to pop up as a finalist for the Melrose school supt. position although she eventually bailed.

So, with that being said, let’s take note of the city’s top 10 stories for 2023.

Marchese elected Council President; Mangan elected School Board Chairperson

JANUARY – Councillor-at-Large Michael Marchese received the nomination and the votes for the Council President seat over Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins, much to the chagrin of three councillors and many residents who felt that Martins deserved her chance after many years serving the city. Martins is well known in the community – serving as President of the Everett Kiwanis Club, a member of the Orange Rose Foundation and a supporter of Portal To Hope, which serves victims of domestic violence, to name a few. Marchese owns real estate throughout the city and is a longtime opponent of Mayor Carlo DeMaria.

Ward 4 School Committee member Michael Mangan was elected as School Committee chairperson by a unanimous vote, 9-0, after being nominated by Vice Chairperson Michael McLaughlin, who also was reappointed, by a vote of 7-2. McLaughlin did not seek reelection.

Mass. Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education ID’s 79% of Everett students as low-income

  School Committee members were informed during a January meeting that the Mass. Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) identified 79.06% of Everett students as low-income to the state average at 42%. According to the report, the numbers were up slightly (74.40%) from 2022. In 2020-2021, 61.10 percent of Everett’s students were identified as low income. In 2017-2018, the number was even lower at 50.80 percent. The state’s average was 32 percent back then.

Boston Magazine, NY Post report bombshell reports on Leader Herald defamation lawsuit

Boston Magazine and the NY Post reported what Boston Magazine called a “Bombshell” story about Mayor Carlo DeMaria’s defamation lawsuit against the Everett Leader Herald newspaper owner Matthew Philbin, Andrew Philbin, Sr., City Clerk Sergio Cornelio and Joshua Resnek; both stories focus on Resnek’s admission of printing lies and fabricating quotes at the behest of the paper’s owner, Matthew Philbin. The Everett Advocate has followed the case, particularly the defendants’ depositions, from its inception in 2021. Philbin and Resnek have admitted in sworn testimony that they published stories primarily to ruin DeMaria’s reputation and ruin his chances for reelection in 2021.

Encore Boston Harbor launches WynnBET Sportsbook

  It was a star-studded event as a former New England Patriot handed out $11,000 in cash throughout the casino to guests to place their bets at the WynnBET Kiosk room as online gambling began in Mass. The event also featured star athletes Olympian Angela Ruggiero, former Red Sox player Johnny Damon, Cedric Maxwell, Matt Light, Shawn Thornton and Ty Law, along with many state and local officials, including Mayor Carlo DeMaria and First Lady Stacy DeMaria.

“Mega-extreme air mass” brings one of the coldest winters on record

FEBRUARY – After a mild winter, an Arctic air mass made its way south to New England with what forecasters called a mega-extreme air mass combined with a minus-40 below zero wind chill factor hit the region. After temperatures climb back for a brief spell, the region is hit with a mini-nor’easter dropping four inches of snow.

State Sen. DiDomenico reappointed Senate Assistant Majority Leader

  Sen. Sal DiDomenico was reappointed by Senate President Karen Spilka as Asst. Majority Leader – as well as becoming Chair of the Senate’s Committee on Bills in the Third Reading and Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Education.

School Committee votes to not extend school superintendent’s contract extension

MARCH – On a 6-4 vote, the School Committee decided to not extend former Supt. Priya Tahiliani’s contract until 2026. School Committee members Michael McLaughlin, Millie Cardello, Jason Marcus, Joseph LaMonica, Cynthia Sarnie and Mayor Carlo DeMaria voted against extending her contract while Jeanne Cristiano, Samantha Lambert, Michael Mangan and Marcony Almeida-Barros voted in favor to extend Tahiliani’s contract past Feb. 28, 2024. It would have been extended until June 30, 2026. Tahiliani would later be placed on administrative leave, which would eventually lead to the hiring of Interim Supt. William Hart permanently.

City Council approves submission of MSBA Application for new High School

The City Council voted 8-0 for a resolution to authorize the Superintendent of Schools to submit a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) expressing interest in building a new high school, with the intent being to eliminate/prevent current and future overcrowding in the Everett Public Schools.

McGonagle named House Chair of Operations, Facilities and Security for second term

APRIL – State Rep. Joe McGonagle was named to his second term as the Massachusetts House’s Chair of Operations, Facilities and Security by Speaker Ron Mariano and his leadership team. This committee was newly formed at the beginning of the previous session to assess the day-to-day operations of the State House and facilitate updates to the infrastructure and security parameters of the building and preserve its historical integrity.

Vets’ Director Antoine Coleman honored at 2023 Black Excellence on the Hill celebration at State House

State Rep. Joe McGonagle joined Everett Director of Veterans Affairs Antoine Coleman as Coleman was honored by the Mass. Black and Latino Legislative Caucus (MBLLC) during the 2023 Black Excellence on the Hill celebration. Coleman is a 2004 graduate of Everett High School who continued his athletic and academic career playing basketball at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. After graduating with a degree in civil engineering, he joined the United States Marine Corps, completing a tour in Afghanistan and obtaining the rank of Sergeant. He works as Everett’s Director of Veterans Affairs, paying it forward by helping veterans receive the resources they need.

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