MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016 Question 2: 2 answers By Gayla Cawley ITEM STAFF LYNN — Opponents of a ballot initiative to lift the state’s cap on char- ter schools argue that the schools are a drain on funding from traditional public education, while proponents say expansion will provide more opportu- nity for parents and their children. When voters go to the polls on Nov. 8, their bal- lots will feature Question 2, which, if passed, will au- thorize up to 12 new char- ter schools or enrollment Controversy expansions in existing charter schools annually by the state Board of El- ementary and Secondary developing Education. Priority would be given to applicants who seek to open a char- in Saugus ter school in public school districts performing in the ITEM PHOTOS | OWEN O’ROURKE bottom 25 percent. If it Kathy Paul, with Mass. Senior Action, leaves the podium after speaking By Bridget Turcotte The end of doesn’t pass, the existing against Partners Healthcare during a rally at Union Hospital, after the ITEM STAFF the Bellevue charter school cap will be Heights proj- maintained. company contributed $100,000 to expand charter schools. Participants SAUGUS — More than 17 years ect is in sight A WBUR poll released at the rally oppose the ballot initiative to expand charter schools. later, the Bellevue Heights proj- after more last week, which surveyed ect has an end date. likely Massachusetts voters, Developer John Mallon pro- than 17 years, showed 52 percent oppose posed a timeline for the remaining with the new the ballot initiative, up from components of the project, with a deadline set 48 percent last month. Sup- deadline for completion of June for June 30, port is at 41 percent, rough- 30, 2017. The Planning Board is 2017. ly the same as last month. willing to work with Mallon, but State Rep. and City others are losing patience. PHOTO | Council President Daniel “Why do we have to give him PAULA MULLER Cahill (D-Lynn) said char- until June 30?” said Scott Brazis, ter schools are a drain a member of the Board of Select- on public schools. Last men. “I think these people have spring, the City Council suffered long enough. Give the unanimously approved a guy until the middle of May. Hold resolution opposing the his feet to the re and get the job done.” QUESTION 2, A6 Brazis indicated that once the deadline passes, Mallon can be ned about $500 per day until the job is done. Lynn superintendent states opposition to 2 Kindergarten students at KIPP Academy, a charter school in Lynn, show SAUGUS, A6 Opinion, A4 their school spirit by participating in a Friday Song Fest. Nahant shall The Devil will reap what Shake Lynn Ciara has sown Auditorium By Bridget Turcotte ITEM STAFF NAHANT — Paul Ciara will retire from his post at the community garden at the end of the season. “I’m preparing these beds for whatever hap- BY BILL BROTHERTON pens next year,” he said. “I’m spreading leaves and grass. I’ll (turn) it under the soil so it can LYNN — Brian Maes’ hectic decompose and we’ll have nutrition for next schedule nearly prevented him from season, whatever they decide to do with it.” embarking on one of the most excit- Ciara has worked as a part-time employee for ing chapters of his professional life: the Department of Public Works for six years, “The Devil and Billy Shake,” a rock maintaining the garden. In addition to his 20 opera that will be presented Oct. 29 paid hours, he has volunteered a minimum of at Lynn Auditorium. 30 extra hours each week. George Simpson, a Saugus-based He transformed an area of overgrown bush- poet and amateur musician, had es behind the Johnson Elementary School into written lyrics for “The Devil and Bil- ve or six raised garden beds in 2010. Today, ly Shake.” His guitar teacher, Kook Brian Maes there are about 60 beds, enclosed in a post-and- Lawry, who lives in Lynn eld and is during a rail fence. a member of Maes’ band, introduced rehearsal This year, with the help of a few volunteers, he the two during an open mic night at ITEM PHOTO | OWEN O’ROURKE for “The harvested 5,000 to 6,000 pounds of vegetables, O’Brien’s Pub. Devil and which were sold to residents for $1 per pound. Paul Ciara prunes tomato plants in the Nahant Com- Maes, Lynn born and bred, was munity Garden. His impending retirement brings back home for a few days, taking a Billy Shake” NAHANT, A6 the fate on the garden into question. break from his gig as lead singer for rock opera, Ernie and the Automatics, which was which will be on the road opening for Deep Purple. performed The two later met at Maes’ home Saturday at INSIDE studio. Simpson told Maes he wanted the Lynn National Grid powers up to work with him and asked him to Auditorium In Opinion look at his script. Maes said “George, Taking the long an increase in rates PHOTO | view in Revere. A4 SCENE, A6 MARK LORENZ In Nahant By Thomas Grillo $121 a month last winter. ITEM STAFF Last November, the utility sought to Kitesurfer gone raise its distribution rates, which have with the wind. A6 National Grid customers will get a lit- not been increased since 2009. At the tle extra time to pay their October bill. time, the company argued its revenues In Saugus This month’s bills were delayed by Child dragged by about two weeks as the utility calcu- no longer cover the company’s costs to car in stable lated a rate increase recently approved operate and maintain the poles and condition. A6 by the Department of Public Utilities wires that deliver electricity to homes (DPU) that took effect on Oct. 1. and businesses. In Sports Danielle Williamson, a National Grid “National Grid’s rates re ect the cost MIAA releases state spokeswoman, said 1.3 million Massa- of doing business in 2008,” the compa- post-season football chusetts ratepayers can expect to see a ny said in a statement. “This proposal pairings. B1 7 percent increase, or $7.75 per month would update rates to re ect the cost for a customer who uses 500 kilowatt of doing business during the year end- Moynihan Lumber’s hours of electricity. The average bill is ing June 30, 2015.” Student-Athlete Award expected to rise to about $110 a month, going strong at 25. B1 up from $90, but less than the average NATIONAL GRID, A6 OBITUARIES ..............................A2 DIVERSIONS .............................A7 COMICS ....................................B4 HIGH 56° VOL. 138, ISSUE 274 OPINION ...................................A4 LOOK! .......................................A8 CLASSIFIED ........................... B5-7 LOW 36° POLICE/FIRE .............................A5 SPORTS ................................ B1-3 HEALTH .....................................B8 PAGE A8 ONE DOLLAR A2 THE DAILY ITEM MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016 OBITUARIES Rash of moths is Henry E. Check Jr., 59 Albert C. Ferrari, 96 1956-2016 1920-2016 making life painfully RAYMOND, N.H. sister and brother-in- N. RICHLAND Al was a man who — Henry “Hank” E. law, Anne Marie and HILLS, Texas — Al- one respected for his itchy for Mainers Check Jr., 59, died Bill Darsney, nieces bert Charles Ferra- intellect, dedication, Oct. 21, 2016, in and nephews. ri, danced his last patriotism, a loving Derry, NH. Service informa- dance on Oct.10, father, and a proud Born Dec. 31, tion: Calling hours 2016, at the age of Italian and U.S. citi- 1956, in Lynn, son are Wednesday, Oct. 96. zen. His family, and of Anne (Dacyczyn) 26, 2016 from 4-7 Al was born June many who knew and Check and the late p.m. at the BREWITT 6, 1920, in Aulla, It- loved Al, will miss Henry E. Check Sr. Funeral Home, Ep- aly, to Dominic and him dearly. Buona Hank grew up in Lynn and ping, N.H. Maria Ferrari. He became a Notte, Dad. graduated from St. Mary’s The Mass is Thursday, Oct. US Citizen in 1927 and grew He is preceded in death by High School. Hank was very 27, 2016 at 11 a.m. at St. up in Lynn. He proudly served his grandson, Christopher; his well respected professionally Joseph Church, 200 Pleas- in the U.S. Army during World sister, Yolanda; and his broth- in the Danvers area, and he ant St., Epping. War II, starting in 1941, and er Ray. He is survived by: his belonged to the Teamsters Lo- Burial will follow in New was honorably discharged loving wife of 62 years, Irene; cal Union #42. Pine Grove Cemetery, Ray- on Sept. 11, 1945, with the 5 devoted children, Lesa, Tina, Hank was predeceased by mond, N.H. rank of Staff Sergeant. He Susan, Sharon and Michael; his brother, John Check. In lieu of flowers, donations joined American Airlines Inc. his brother, Dominic; his He is survived by his loving may be made to the Wound- in 1948. Al rose through the nephews, Bill and John; and 6 wife, Nilza (Matos) Check, his ed Warrior Project, PO Box ranks and was promoted to beloved grandchildren, Cam- son, Jeremy Check, his daugh- 758517, Topeka, KS. 66675. several positions in American eron, Ryan, Kimberly, Alison, ter, Kelley Morris, his mother, Please visit www.brewittfu- Airlines. Alex and Reid. Anne Check, 3 grandchildren, neralhome.com. In January of 1970, Al be- Service information: Me- PHOTO | ASSOCIATED PRESS came President of Sky Chefs. morial service at 3:30 p.m. The job also included the Pres- , Saturday, at LUCAS Fu- A browntail caterpillar feeds in Maine. idency of American’s Flagship neral Home Chapel.