Lattanzi urges crack down on city graffiti

  In response to a recent uptick in graffiti tagging, Ward 6 Councillor Alfred Lattanzi sponsored a Resolution calling upon the Everett Police Department to find those responsible for defacing various buildings throughout the city. “This issue is not isolated to a few buildings; it is glaringly prevalent,” he said. “The police were already investigating and had some leads – they want to end this.”

  Lattanzi also said that the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) and the Department of Public Works (DPW) have been tackling the issue as well. “ISD and the DPW have been vigilant night and day looking for the person or persons responsible for all of this tagging,” he said. “Eventually someone will be caught.”

  Under state law, vandalism is punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $1,500.

  Although none of the graffiti is associated with gang activity, Lattanzi said it is still an eyesore. “Some of this stuff is four-letter words and that’s really not what Everett is all about,” he said.

  The process of having graffiti professionally removed can cost between $800 and $1,000 for a section that is two feet by four feet. Lattanzi also said there are products on the market for anyone who wants to remove graffiti themself. A third option is to use sacrificial coating, which is put on a building’s facade before it is tagged. Lattanzi said that by using sacrificial coating a power washer is all that is needed to remove graffiti.

  In addition, Lattanzi said his business, Everett Supply & True Value Hardware, has been defaced by graffiti on more than one occasion. Therefore, he suggested creating a fund to assist business owners who have been plagued by tagging.

  The City Council voted unanimously to refer the matter to the police, ISD and the DPW.

Traffic safety concerns

  In other news, Ward 1 Councillor Wayne Matewsky shared his concerns regarding the current dangers at the intersection of Plummer, Revere and Chelsea Streets. “Nine out of 10 times, there’s a pedestrian right at the end of Revere Street,” he said. “It’s the most unsafe little intersection in the city; it has to be addressed.”

  Therefore, Matewsky requested guidance from the Traffic Commission on how to rectify the problem.

New firefighters and ConCom reappointments

  The council voted to approve the appointment of six new firefighters. They are Brian Ramunno, Michael Doyon, Jessie King, Jonathan Menendez, Patrick Neary and Ian Tweeddale. The council also voted to reappoint Daryl Colson to the Conservation Commission for a one-year term ending on April 1, 2023. Maeve Kernan and Eamon Kernan were reappointed to the Conservation Commission for two-year terms ending on April 1, 2024. Jon Norton and Rita Hashem were also reappointed to the Conservation Commission for three-year terms ending on April 1, 2025.