THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 Lynn tries again on Pickering By Gayla Cawley ITEM STAFF LYNN — In the wake of last spring’s failed vote to build two new middle schools, the city is trying again to replace Pickering Middle School. The Lynn School Committee is sched- uled to vote today to submit a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for Pickering Middle School. “I think clearly there’s a real need to take a second look at how we need to replace Pickering,” said Mayor Thomas Broken pipe dismisses M. McGee. “It’s desperately needed and Black history I think it’s important for us to get back in the process and get in a discussion with Marblehead students the community.” celebrated McGee, who also serves as chairman of By Bridget Turcotte the school committee, said the first step By Marianne Salza ITEM STAFF is to put a statement of interest into the and Bella diGrazia MSBA, with the hope that would move FOR THE ITEM MARBLEHEAD — More than 150 students at forward. The next step, he said, would be Black History Month the Elbridge Gerry School have been relocated to to engage the community on the impor- Doreen Murray other schools following a steam pipe leak discov- tance of replacing Pickering. is a time to raise aware- ness about the contribu- from Build- ered Jan. 25. McGee said the larger discussion would ing Bridges The pipe was determined to be covered in as- be on what replacement might entail, tions that people of color More than 150 Through Music bestos, according to a presentation given at a including location of a new school and have made nationally and Gerry School performed at School Committee meeting on Monday. The next whether that would include a two-school around the world. day, the maintenance staff discovered the leak students have option again. Celebrants are combining the 32nd annu- had gotten much worse and water was leaking been relocated “I think it was a strong vote in opposi- music, poetry and history al Dr. Martin from the ceiling in multiple locations. There was elsewhere as a tion to the plan we had last year,” McGee to celebrate an exploration Luther King Jr. also sagging where there was existing cracks in result of a leak- said. “Obviously, we need to engage the of local African American Breakfast last the plaster. ing steam pipe. community again and find the common history including stories month. First-graders were moved to the Coffin School ground.” detailed in author Sharon ITEM PHOTO | ITEM PHOTO | GERRY, A6 OWEN O’ROURKE PICKERING, A3 BLACK HISTORY, A7 OWEN O’ROURKE Bennett Street: Lynn’s Pit Row By Thomas Grillo a clutch on a BMW. ITEM STAFF “A job that should have taken me six hours, took three days be- LYNN — There’s a place in cause I was working without a car Lynn where the clang of metal lift,” he said. “I vowed never to do on metal and whine of hydraulic that again.” tools competes with laughter and So two years ago he invested shouted instructions. $100,000 to buy tools and leased Bennett Street’s gritty length a garage on Bennett Street and running from Commercial to named it Estrada Auto Repair. Oakville streets behind the Lyn- Estrada, who said he has been nway features shops that sell working on cars since he was a tires, service cars, and repair teenager, has spent most of the damaged vehicles. last 20 years working in restau- Until two years ago, Carlos Es- rants. Most recently, he was a trada fixed cars in driveways. chef at Rossetti Restaurant. Customers who needed a tune- “But cars are my passion,” he up, brakes or a new transmission said. cwalled the 38-year-old Guatema- On the day we visited, Estrada ITEM PHOTO | SPENSER HASAK lan native, who brought parts and was installing new brakes on a a tool kit to complete the job. late model Honda. While he likes Alfredo Chavez, manager of Veo Autobody Solutions & Repair, works on an SUV that But that all changed a few years had its front end damaged in an accident. ago when he was asked to replace BENNETT, A7 Let there be light INSIDE In Medford at Northeast Arc’s Mayor gives update on Erin Calvo-Bacci, Bacci Chocolate Design/ search for school CB Stuffer, won the Black Box Theater superintendent. A2 Business Woman of the ITEM STAFF REPORT In Lynn Year award and Aaron Reames, Bent Water Only one bid received PEABODY — As the Brewing Co., won Busi- on converting former completion of Northeast ness Man of the Year Arc’s new black box the- Marshall building. A3 at the Annual Meeting ater in downtown Pea- In Sports & Business Excellence body draws nearer, the Awards for the Lynn Marblehead’s Keaney potential for a variety Area Chamber of of uses for the venue is shows the way. Commerce Wed nesday. coming more into focus, More photos, Page A3. or, more specifically, into Peabody’s DeMayo the spotlight. commits to Wagner. B1 ITEM PHOTO | OWEN O’ROURKE One of the features that will make the black box a flexible space is the state-of-the-art lighting HONORING THOSE WHO design coordinated by TELL US HOW YOU MET Peabody resident Joey HAVE HAD AN IMPACT Nicotera. YOUR SWEETHEART He is an information They include a philanthropic power couple, an innovator who helped sow technology (IT) profes- Did you literally bump into will have a Valentine’s Day the seeds for artists’ murals to sprout in sional by trade, but Nic- your future betrothed on a section feature sharing roman- downtown Lynn, and an inspirational otera’s passion is light- crowded street? Is the love tic memories and tales of how teen. ing. He has worked on of your life the little kid you loved bloomed. We invite you projects at major venues On March 7, from 6-9 p.m. at the Lynn teased on the playground? Is to share your stories by send- such as the Museum of your intended the person you Museum, 590 Washington St., Essex Me- ing them with the subject line Science, and now focuses ended up sharing a plate of dia Group (EMG) introduces and honors Designer Jo ey Nico- on stage, theatrical and spaghetti with on a double Sweethearts to news@itemlive. its 10 Persons of the Year. The inaugural tera of Peabody is in- event lighting. date? Or is it the person you com by Friday at 5 p.m. event salutes inspirational people who stalling the lighting “It’s a part-time passion “swiped right”? The best story wins a $100 have improved the quality of life within in the Northeast Arc The Daily Item/Itemlive.com gift card to a restaurant. Black Box Theater. BLACK BOX, A7 PERSONS, A7 OBITUARIES ..............................A2 POLICE/FIRE .............................A6 COMICS/DIVERSIONS ........... B4-5 LYNN .........................................A3 HIGH 30° VOL. 140, ISSUE 52 LOOK! .......................................A8 CLASSIFIED ........................... B6-7 OPINION ...................................A4 LOW 19° SPORTS ................................ B1-3 TRAVEL......................................B8 ONE DOLLAR ENTERTAINMENT .......................A5 PAGE A8 A2 THE DAILY ITEM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 OBITUARIES Search committee for Malden’s Joseph M. Flammia, 81 superintendent has 1st meeting Joseph M. Flam- of Revere, George of mia, age 81, died Peabody and Louis of of a long fight with Hanover, and many By Steve Freker when the committee met munity leaders,” she said continue to move the Med- Alzheimer’s and can- nieces and nephews. FOR THE ITEM with Glenn Koocher from in a statement. ford Public Schools for- cer on Tuesday, Feb. Joseph worked at the Massachusetts Asso- Representing the Med- ward.” MEDFORD — It is not ciation of School Commit- ford Public Schools admin- The Superintendent 6, 2018 in the early the Logan Airport easy replacing an icon and morning at the Ka- Post Office for 35 tees, (MASC) who gave istration will be McGlynn Search Committee focus it’s been a series of “firsts” an orientation session to Middle School assistant group meetings will be Feb. plan Family Hospice years and served in in wading through the introduce the members to principal Jody Liu. Three 14 and Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. at House. the United States process of choosing a new the search process. teachers will serve on Medford High School. The Joseph is survived Army. Superintendent of Schools More than 70 Medford the committee, including first night will be commit- by his loving wife of 58 years, Service information: His to fill the shoes of Roy Bel- residents, school and city Joseph Plati, Columbus tee members only, the sec- Carol A. Flammia, both orig- funeral will be held on Sat- son, who’s leaving after 23 officials applied to serve School; Sarah Grant, An- ond night all are welcome. inally from East Boston, then urday at 10:45 a.m. at the years. Potential interview Saugus, now Peabody. He was CONWAY, CAHILL-BRODEUR Mayor Stephanie M. on the search committee drews School; and Doug- both loving and honored fa- Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Burke notched a “first” and Burke and her staff las Bowen-Flynn, Medford questions from the Search ther of Cynthia A. Guarracino Peabody, followed by his fu- when she named the whittled that number to High School. Committee will be due to of Billerica, Stacy M. Kalam- neral Mass at 11:45 a.m. members of the first Su- 14 members. Parents on the commit- the mayor by Feb. 25. In- balikis of Port Charlotte, Fla., at St. Adelaide’s Church, perintendent Search Com- Burke, who chairs the tee include Joanne Bell, terested candidates for the and Joseph P.