FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2017 A Franco conversation about the ER By Daniel Kane FOR THE ITEM LYNN — A crowd of residents pressed Salem Hospital leaders for answers about the future of Union Hospital. With Union Hospital set to move all in- patient care to Salem Hospital by Octo- ber 2019, the North Shore Medical Cen- ter held a community meeting Thursday night at the Franco-American War Veter- ans Hall in Lynn. North Shore president and cardiologist David Roberts led the discussion, going over data about Union Hospital’s patient care and outlining pos- sible medical uses for the site. He pitched the crowd on the concept of a medical village, located on a portion of the current Union Hospital. It could take care of 96 percent of Lynn’s health needs, including urgent care, specialty services, support services, behavioral health, and primary care service, he said. He was less optimistic about creating a satellite emergency facility at the site, a more expensive option which would oper- ate as an emergency room at a separate location from the hospital. Clock to the Rock “It’s 10 million dollars and could even put patients at risk,” he said. About a quarter of all patients that go to such a facility need to be transported again to a draws a ock in Lynn hospital, according to Roberts. After the presentation, Roberts opened By Daniel Kane in Lynn, who said they are eager to join The entrants for the the conversation to the crowd of 40-50 FOR THE ITEM the race and enjoy the food trucks and Clock to the Rock 5K people. music afterwards. road race are off and Rose Posey spoke in favor of keeping LYNN — Now in its 11th year, the “I try to follow any events in the city,” running, including emergency services in Lynn, saying the Clock to the Rock 5K race is still run- Pin Oeur said. “I thought this would be Kathleen Walsh (167), additional time needed to get to Salem ning strong. something great for us to do after work.” who would be the Hospital could pose a danger to critical “It’s a nice course, a bit challenging, The race started at Central Square, rst woman to nish patients. but a good, local race,” said Ryan Brown. turning down Ocean Street before the race, and Jenny “If an ambulance is rushing a patient The runner and re ghter, who has sending runners by the beach on Lynn Spiers (170), who to Salem Hospital from Lynn eld during taken part in the race every year since Shore Drive. The race concluded at would be the second rush hour, people could die,” she said. its start, was joined by two dozen other Central Square. woman to nish. Michele Desmarais found comfort in runners as the race kicked off. “It’s one of the most beautiful runs in knowing that an urgent care facility could Among them was a group of cowork- Lynn,” said Carolyn Cole, director of the ITEM PHOTO | OWEN O’ROURKE be kept in Lynn but wasn’t happy about ers, including Chhavan Pin Oeur, Al- Downtown Lynn Cultural District. everything at the meeting. ison Carr, and Molly Wadlingr from Children’s Friend and Family Services RACE, A7 ER, A7 McGee wants Drinking and dancing tolls shared and shared alike don’t mix in Swampscott By Thomas Grillo By Gayla Cawley said in a statement. “After they arrived, policies and procedures and the MIAA ITEM STAFF ITEM STAFF it was recommended that the student be handbook,” Angelakis said. “They will checked at the hospital and the parents also participate in Swampscott High It will cost you to drive on portions of SWAMPSCOTT — A Swampscott agreed. The student was transported to School’s chemical health protocol.” Routes 2, 128, I-93 and I-95 if a measure High School dance was cut short last the hospital by ambulance.” Angelakis’ of ce declined to say what by state Sen. Thomas M. McGee is ap- week because of underage drinking School of cials determined that eight other discipline may be included or say proved. when at least one student was taken to other students at the dance had attended the students’ ages. The controversial proposal, heard on the hospital. the party and consumed alcohol, she said. But one man, who asked to remain Beacon Hill this week, could lead to tolls Superintendent Pamela Angelakis Robert Murphy, the high school’s anonymous, said his niece, a fresh- on what are now toll-free highways. con rmed a student came to the dance principal, ended the dance at 9 p.m., an man, was one of about a dozen students McGee acknowledged it will be a tough intoxicated last Friday. She said the hour earlier than scheduled. Murphy called into Murphy’s of ce about the sell, since few drivers are willing to pay student had been drinking at a house has met with the students involved and incident. He said she took a breathalyz- more to commute. party before coming to the event. their parents, Angelakis said. er, which came back clean. He was told “The student’s parents were noti ed “The students have been disciplined three students went to the hospital that MCGEE, A3 and they came to the school,” Angelakis according to Swampscott High School night and that pills were also involved. Saugus Let there be light in Malden By Steve Freker will be further reduced by an additional opens its FOR THE ITEM $187,000 from the state’s Department of Energy Resources (DOER), which MALDEN — Work has begun on a supports municipal projects which di- heart for streetlight replacement project that rectly reduce energy spending. could save the city up to $250,000 an- Last week, crews from Coviello Elec- nually in energy costs. tric began replacing the street lights. mother The project includes replacing more City Councilor-at-Large Craig Spada- than 3,400 streetlights citywide with fora, who chairs the city’s Energy Ef- By Bridget Turcotte new lights equipped with LED technol- ciency Commission, has been collab- ITEM STAFF ogy. orating with the mayor since 2012 to With the potential to save nearly plan the light project. SAUGUS — Saugus is $300,000 a year with the new lights, Malden rst got serious about the going red today to sup- the energy cost savings alone could energy improvements with a buyback port a resident and mom pay for the city’s share of the project agreement on the city’s streetlights facing open heart surgery in about two years, according to Mayor with their original owner, National on Monday. Gary Christenson. Grid. With the help of the MAPC, the Michelle Vecchione, 39, The project will cost $1.2 million, city city secured a $20,000 grant for an in- was diagnosed with mi- of cials said. The city will receive a vestment audit of the city’s streetlights tral valve regurgitation $201,320 grant from the state through which promised guaranteed savings,” caused by rheumatic the Metropolitan Area Planning Coun- according to Spadafora. heart disease in Jan- cil’s (MAPC) Rapid LED Streetlight uary. Doctors also told Conversion Program. The city’s cost MALDEN, A7 her rheumatic fever had caused damage to her heart. Her condition could INSIDE cause heart failure or heart rhythm problems if COURTESY PHOTO In Lynn LOOK! In Sports left untreated. Vecchione’s City to receive $10K Hoffman is one Quadruple the fun in Donald Bullens and Michelle Vecchione with in state grants to aid for the books. A8 Lynn as football playoffs SAUGUS, A7 their son Cameron, 11, and daughter Isabella, 7. students. A3 begin tonight. B1 OBITUARIES ..............................A2 POLICE/FIRE .............................A6 COMICS ....................................B4 HIGH 61° VOL. 139, ISSUE 274 LYNN .........................................A3 LOOK! .......................................A8 DIVERSIONS .............................B5 LOW 46° OPINION ...................................A4 SPORTS ................................ B1-3 CLASSIFIED ........................... B6-8 PAGE A8 ONE DOLLAR A2 THE DAILY ITEM FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2017 OBITUARIES Eileen M. Martel, 94 Check out the holiday fairs! 1923-2017 Sacred Heart Parish, and on Nov. 4, 9 a.m. to with gently used jewel- Homemade meatball subs, 571 Boston St., Lynn, will 3 p.m. The bazaar will ry and a variety of goods. soups and pies available Eileen Margaret Eileen enjoyed hold its annual Harvest try to provide something For those who want to both days. Lobster rolls (Johannes) Martel spending summers Festival on Nov. 3, 3-8 p.m., for every taste, especially take a chance, the bazaar available on Nov. 4. Items passed away at home with her extended and on Nov. 4, 9 a.m. to 3 during the supper hour on features the Parish Raf- available include Christ- on Oct. 23 at the age family at a cottage p.m. A meatball dinner will Friday and lunch time on fle, 50/50 drawings, a new mas gifts and crafts, knit of 94. She was the on Hayward’s Bay at be held Nov. 3; cost is $6. Saturday. Some of the food prize table, and a theme goods, White Elephant, wife of the late Jo- West Lake Okoboji, The festival will offer raf- items available include basket table, and for the used books, baked goods, seph H. Martel with Iowa. Like her father fles, gift baskets, snack bar, fish chowder, lobster rolls, little ones, a children’s ta- jewelry, homemade jams whom she shared 53 Bill, Eileen kept an ac- bakery, Christmas crafts, meatball subs, chili, and ble. Finally, if you’re inter- and jellies, fudge, plants, years of marriage. tive interest in politics books, games, puzzles, mu- ice cream sundaes.