560 CONDOS Dudley St. FOR Chelsea SALE UnitNEW CONSTRUCTION #214 $509,000 - 2 BED, 2 BATH 1 bed 1 bath loft. 16’ Ceilings 1 parking$549,000 space | Spencer Lofts Wednesday, June 23, 2021 Moving On Ceremony ZUMIX gets at Patrick J Kennedy $1M as a gift By John Lynds across the country, Stec- zynski was convinced At first Zumix it was for real and over- co-Founder and Execu- whelmed by the generos- tive Director Madeleine ity. Steczynski thought the “It came at a time news that MacKenzie when we’re celebrating Scott and Dan Jewett our 30th anniversary had gifted $1 million in the neighborhood,” to East Boston’s popu- said Steczynski. “Get- lar music arts program ting a big gift like this as through their foundation we’re looking back on 30 was some sort of internet years made me stop and scam. pause...I was like, “Oh However, once news my god, we might truly started to spread of the gift and the couple’s gifts See ZUMIXPage 4 to other organizations THE BOBBY ORR WAY Principal Kristen Goncalves with Wilmer Felipe, Samuel Perez, Royal Hector, Jr., Kayke Alipio Lopes, Christopher Sepul- veda Soto, Brian Rodriguez Flores, Erik Burgos, Joshua Munera Quiceno, Valeria Beltran Flores, Emily Gaviria, Marifer Martinez Lopez, Joselyn Perez, Abbe Sixth grade graduates jump joyously following their Moving in Ceremony on Pena Lopez, and Yeimi Vasquez Fuentes. June 16. Gabriela Coletta to leave Councillor Edwards office; takes manager position at New England Aquarium Staff report move on to her next role walk and a campaign to call from a young woman as External Relations ensure the downtown wa- who said, ‘if you go for it, After nearly four years Manager for the New En- terfront remains inclusive, I will be with you.’ I had of service to District One, gland Aquarium’s down- accessible, and climate re- no money and no way to Boston City Council- town waterfront planning silient for all Bostonians. pay her,” said Councilor or Lydia Edwards an- initiative. Coletta will be “In April 2017, almost Edwards. “November of District A-7 Captain Kelley McCormick (left) and Officer Bob Anthony present Bruins legend Bobby Orr with an official nounced Chief of Staff leading the revitalization a year to the day that I that same year, we walked street sign during Orr’s visit to the East Boston Police Sta- Gabriela Coletta will of the Aquarium’s harbor- lost the senate seat, I got a See COLETTA Page 2 tion last week. See more photos on Page 5. NSMHA dedicates Hanton House By Cary Shuman today without the leader- ring mental health and ship, guidance, and vision substance use disorders In an impressive cer- of Kim Hanton.” – that was named in her emony held on a picture Hanton retired from the honor. City and state of- postcard pre-summer day, organization in 2020 after ficials joined Hanton’s the beautifully done sou- 34 years of exceptional colleagues, friends and venir program distributed service. She is currently family at the dedication to the guests said it very Chief of Staff to Revere and official ribbon-cutting well about the outstanding Mayor Brian Arrigo’s Of- ceremony. contributions of Hanton to fice. State Secretary of the the North Suffolk Mental The tribute to Kim Han- Executive Office of Health Health Association. ton Wednesday was the and Human Services Ma- The program read: “NS- Kim Hanton House - a rylou Sudders and NSM- MHA’s Addictions Divi- fully accessible, 12-bed sion wouldn’t be what it is residence with co-occur- See HANTON Page 16 Happy Valley’s main showroom includes artwork, LCD displays and touch screens for ordering cannabis products. Happy Valley to become Eastie’s second adult-use cannabis shop By John Lynds dispensary before voters The sleek showroom has approved recreational use in several display cases featur- After years of red tape, the state, will officially open ing Happy Valley’s flower, permitting, city and state its doors on Thursday, June edible and concentrated approvals and construction, 24. cannabis products complete East Boston’s second adult- Inside Happy Valley’s with descriptions. use cannabis dispensary Eastie location custom- Customers can peruse the will open at 220 McClellan ers will be buzzed into the display cases or use one of Highway--the former site of foyer and then into the main the interactive touchscreen Enterprise Rental Car facil- showroom for what Happy displays to find the product ity. Valley’s VP of Technology they are in search for. Newton-based Happy and Marketing Gregg Weiss “Some of the smaller dis- Valley Ventures LLC, which said is an experience like no pensaries do not have the was originally approved to other for a cannabis dispen- Kim Hanton and family. From left, Samantha Harrington, Haley Hanton Lindquist, Babe be a medical-use cannabis sary. Cammarata, Kim Hanton, Charlie Hanton, and Dennis Hanton. Back row, from left, James See HAPPY VALLEY Page 3 Hanton, Dennis Hanton, and Tania Cornelio. Ruggiero Family Memorial Home “Proud to welcome to our staff Mark Tauro, former owner and director of Rapino, Kirby-Rapino Funeral Homes” • Ample Off Street Parking • Complimentary Valet Parking • Nonsectarian Transportation To & From Visiting Hours For Family & Friends • Se Habla Espanol 971 Saratoga St., Orient Heights East Boston 617-569-0990 • Visit us at our website: www.RuggieroMH.com Page 2 THE EAST BOSTON TIMES-FREE PRESS Wednesday, June 23, 2021 EAGLE HILL CLEANUP On Saturday the East Boston High School, Kiwanis International Key Club, North Suffolk Mental Health Meridian House, Eagle Hill Civic Association, Tree Eastie and the Eagle Hill Beau- tification Committee all joined forces for a suc- cessful trash pick up in Eagle Hill. NOW HIRING AT MAKE Yawkey Way Report To Apply call Ed Coletta (center) gets in on the action to help beautify 617-418-7598 East Boston High School, Kiwanis International Key Club, North Suffolk Mental Health Eagle Hill Saturday. Meridian House, Eagle Hill Civic Association, Tree Eastie and the Eagle Hill Beautification or visit our facebook page Committee during Saturday’s Eagle Hill cleanup. facebook.com/yawkeywayreport Bank branches slated to be closed By John Lynds branches in Jamai- our retail branches.” BPDA Income-Restricted Home Ownership Opportunity ca Plain at 725 Centre Back in April EBSB, The Pacer As part of its $1 billion St. and keep the EBSB established in 1848, 11-19 Walley Street, East Boston, MA 02128 merger with East Boston branch at 515 Centre St. and Rockland Trust an- www.PacerLottery.com Savings Bank (EBSB), near the Curley School. nounced the two banks Rockland Trust an- In a statement to news inked a merger agree- 5 Income-Restricted Home Ownership Units nounced that it will close outlets Rockland Trust ment for Rockland to # of Units # of Bedrooms AMI Price several branches that wrote that the bank is acquire EBSB’s par- 1 1 Bedroom* 80% $202,900 EBSB opened as part of looking forward to wel- ent company, Meridian 1 2 Bedroom 80% $240,800 a massive expansion over coming customers from Bancorp., thus acquiring 1 3 Bedroom 80% $278,700 the past decade. EBSB as it deepens its EBSB in a $1.15 billion 1 2 Bedroom* 80% - 100%** $314,000 While EBSB’s flag- presence in and around deal. 1 3 Bedroom 80% - 100%** $355,600 ship branches in Maver- *One unit is built out for households with mobility impairments Boston. Under the agreement **These units are available to those who earn more than 80% but less than 100% of AMI ick Square on Meridian “We have carefully each Meridian stock- Street and on Bennington considered where there holder will receive 0.275 Maximum Income Limits (set by the BPDA + based on household size + AMI) Street in Orient Heights are overlaps between of Rockland common Household size 80% AMI 100% AMI will remain open, Rock- our branch networks so stock for each share of 1 $67,700 $84,600 land plans to close EBSB that we may strategical- Meridian common stock. 2 $77,350 $96,650 two branches in Allston, ly consolidate and maxi- According to 3 $87,000 $108,750 Brighton, one branch mize the impact of each spokepersons for the two 4 $96,650 $120,800 each in Chinatown, branch,” read the state- banks, the merger is ex- 5 $104,400 $130,500 Dorchester, Mission Hill, 6 $112,150 $140,150 ment. “These were very pected to close in the Roslindale, West Rox- thoughtful decisions, the fourth quarter of 2021. Maximum Asset Limits bury, Brookline and two factors of which included EBSB currently has 80% AMI 100% AMI branches in Cambridge. how we can most effec- 42 full-service locations, $75,000 $100,000 Rockland will also tively serve our custom- one mobile branch and Does not include retirement. Does include Real Estate close one of its own ers and the proximity of three loan centers. To learn more about eligibility + the BPDA screening requirements, please visit: http://www.bostonplans.org/housing/faqs#application-lottery-questions Coletta // CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Applications are available during the application period from: into Kellys holding hands downtown waterfront,” Monday, July 1, 2021 – Wednesday, July 15, 2021 with tears in our eyes, said New England Aquar- when she yelled ‘Ladies ium President and CEO To request and complete the application online, please visit: www.PacerLottery.com To have a hard copy of the application sent to your mailing address, please call: 781-992-5307 and gentlemen, your new Vikki Spruill. “We are city councilor!’ Gabriela grateful for her years of After careful consideration and an abundance of caution, the City of Boston has decided to is an incredible person, service to Councilor Ed- cancel the in-person application distribution period.