Fight for funding continues

The City Council passed a resolution last week supporting Chelsea's Upward Bound initiative, which is sponsored by the School Department's Choice Thru Education program and helps students receive support, such as tutoring, career counseling, and college-level summer programs. City Council president Roseann Bongiovanni said the resolution will be sent to the US Department of Education, which recently cut the program's funding as a result of a computer glitch. Last year, when attempting to electronically send a request for $1.2 million in grants, Choice director Sue Clark encountered problems with the government's grant application website. From Nov. 5 through 7 last year, Clark attempted to file Choice's application, but the site was malfunctioning. Although the application was successfully submitted at 5:16 p.m. on Nov. 7 of last year, it was rejected by the federal agency six months later for being 46 minutes late. There has been no reconsideration by Education Department officials despite appeals from Clark, Senators John F. Kerry and Edward M. Kennedy, and US Representative Michael E. Capuano. The $1.2 million funding would cover the program's next four years. Chelsea's 40-year-old Upward Bound program is one of the oldest in the nation, funded under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Clark said that since the news broke, she has been contacted by potential private donors from across the country who would like to keep the program going. She said this is the worst case of "bureaucracy digging in its heels." - Katheleen Conti

TAX BREAK DEBATE - The Board of Aldermen is to resume debate at 7 tomorrow night on a proposed tax break for Prolerized New England Co. LLC, a scrap and waste metal wholesaler in Everett owned by Oregon-based Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc. The board postponed voting on the issue during last week's special Joint Convention because of lingering questions over the tax incentive financing proposal, or TIF. The proposal would reduce the company's taxes by a total of $1.2 million over 20 years, according to information from the company. The company still would pay roughly $10.7 million in taxes to Everett over that time period, according to its calculations. The tax reduction would be limited to the newly expanded portion of Schnitzer's facility in Everett, said spokesman Colin Kelly. The company is hoping to win approval of the tax break before the end of the year, otherwise it will lose its ability to apply for the reduction next year because the tax break is based on expansion done in 2007, Kelly said. The company's current annual tax bill paid to the city is about $178,000 and next year's bill is anticipated to be $395,500, which would include the tax break, Kelly said. As part of the proposed tax reduction program, the company would give the city all of its job postings one week before the positions are posted publicly, Kelly said. - Kay Lazar

SETTING TAX RATE - The City Council on Tuesday will hold a public hearing to set a new property tax rate. The current residential tax rate is $10.40 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Commercial and industrial property owners pay $21.26 per $1,000 of valuation. The public hearing will be held during the council's regularly scheduled meeting at 8 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall. - Kathy McCabe

PARTYING WITH THE POLICE - The Police Department is accepting registrations for its annual Children's Christmas Party to be held Saturday at St. Michael's Hall. The party is open to all Lynn children ages 4 to 10. Parents or guardians who want to register their child may call 781-595-2000, ext. 314. The child's name, age, address, and an emergency contact number will be required. Check-in will start at 9 a.m., and the party will run from 10 a.m. to noon. Santa Claus is due to make an appearance, along with Elmo, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Blue from "Blues Clues," among other popular characters. Kids will be served pizza and soda for lunch, and go home with a present and a grab bag. - Kathy McCabe

LEARN ABOUT MALDEN CATHOLIC - Steve O'Neill, a senior vice president at a planning, engineering, surveying, and landscape architecture firm, is scheduled to speak tomorrow at a Malden Catholic High School information reception for eighth-grade boys and their parents. O'Neill, who graduated from Malden Catholic in 1978, works for Meridian Associates, which has offices in Beverly, Westborough, and New Jersey. He is a former member of the school's board of trustees and a former varsity soccer coach at the school. The reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Montvale Plaza at 54 Montvale Ave. in Stoneham. For more information, visit maldencatholic.org or call 781-322-3098, ext. 293. - Erin Ailworth

SNOW EMERGENCY PROCEDURES - The Department of Public Works has issued a reminder to residents that the city's snow and ice control policies and procedures are in effect. To find out if there is a declared snow emergency or a parking ban in effect, residents can tune to MMTV Cable Access Channel 3. Also, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, residents may call the City Yard at 781-665-0142, and after hours the police nonemergency number at 781-665-1212. Residents also are reminded that dumping snow from private driveways onto sidewalks or streets violates city ordinances and is punishable by a fine of up to $50, but DPW Superintendent Robert Beshara said he doesn't remember ever fining any residents for throwing their snow into the street. "Usually, if you ask them, they obey the ordinance." - Kay Lazar

POLICE CAR ADS - At tomorrow night's City Council meeting, Councilor George Rotondo will raise the issue of allowing advertisements on police cruisers as a way to increase revenue. Rotondo said he would like to model a local program on the one in Littleton that also is being considered in Melrose. Revenue would be used to upgrade the Police Department's fleet of aging vehicles, possibly switching to hybrid technology. Some police vehicles, Rotondo said, are almost 10 years old and are costing the city too much in gas. The council is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. at City Hall. - Katheleen Conti

TAX RATE HEARING - The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday will hold a public hearing to set a new tax rate. The new rate will not be known until the new rate structure is proposed. Under the current tax rate, residential property owners pay $8.28 per $1,000 in assessed valuation. Commercial and industrial property owners pay $18.95 per $1,000 in valuation. The hearing will be held as part of the selectmen's meeting, scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at Town Hall. - Kathy McCabe

LIBRARY SUPPORT - Saugus Public Library officials have a wish list this holiday season. The library, struggling with budget cuts, is accepting donations to pay for supplies and day-to-day operations. A list of books library officials would like to receive is posted on Amazon.com. A link to the list is on the library's website, noblenet.org/saugus. At the Barnes & Noble Booksellers on Route 1, library officials have put up a display of children's books it would like to add to its collection, and are looking for people to donate titles. Anyone interested in making a donation may call the library at 781-231-4168. - Kathy McCabe

HALLELUJAH CHORUS - Residents are invited to get into the spirit of the holidays at a Community Messiah Sing scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday at First Parish Congregational Church at 1 Church St. Organized by several church music directors from the Wakefield-Melrose area, the event, now in its third year, is a chance for the public to join with accomplished musicians in presenting the Christmas portion and the Hallelujah Chorus of Handel's "Messiah." This year's event will feature professional soloists and a chamber orchestra. Although all who attend will be encouraged to sing, a section of the sanctuary will be set aside for those who prefer to listen. The sing-along will be followed by an informal reception featuring home-baked goods and hot and cold beverages. The event is free, but donations will be accepted. A portion of the proceeds from the donations will be given to a local children's charity. The remainder will be used to help pay the expenses of the event. For more information, call 781-245-1539. - John Laidler

PLOW DRIVERS WANTED - The Department of Public Works is accepting applications for snowplow operators, says director David J. Hickey Jr. Applicants must have a valid Massachusetts driver's license, in-state insurance, and live within 25 minutes of Winthrop. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 21. For more information, call 617-846-1341. - Katheleen Conti

AROUND THE REGION

ACCIDENT AT HIGH SCHOOL - Thom Forbes, the assistant director of facilities for the Department of Public Works, is being treated at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington for injuries he sustained from an on-the-job accident Nov. 28. Forbes was repairing a basketball net at the high school when he fell from a ladder, breaking both his ankles and feet and his right wrist, according to the DPW. The breaks to his wrist and one of his feet were compound fractures. A Fire Department ambulance crew transported Forbes to Lahey Clinic. Forbes, who is on injured leave, is expected to remain in the hospital for another few weeks, and then will require a lengthy rehabilitation before returning to work. The Peabody resident has been employed by the town since 2004. - John Laidler

NEW GOLDEN BANANA OWNERS SEEK LICENSE - The City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. Topping the agenda is a request by the new owners of the Golden Banana, D&B Corp., to transfer the entertainment license for nude dancing formerly held by Dibella Realty Trust. Also, councilors will discuss a request by the Lahey Clinic to expand its special permit building hours. - Steven Rosenberg

WEIGH IN ON WHARF - Got an opinion about the proposed commercial wharf off the Blaney Street Landing? Tomorrow is your chance to give your input. The Port of Salem Development Project public meeting is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the National Park Service's St. Joseph Hall at 160 Derby St. For more information, call Kathy Winn at the Department of Planning and Community Development at 978-619-5685. - Erin Ailworth

A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION - A Swampscott couple has found a way to ring in the New Year, celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary, and support a cause important to them, all in one night. Diane and David Ratner have organized a New Year's Eve party to benefit the Massachusetts General Hospital's Diabetes Research Center. David Ratner, 36, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes seven years ago, and his doctor, David Nathan, runs the Diabetes Research Center, according to Diane Ratner, who works as a registered nurse at the hospital. New Year's Eve also happens to be the 10-year anniversary of the Ratners, who have three children. The party, which the Ratners are organizing with the help of a committee of friends and family, will be held from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at their temple, Congregation Shirat Hayam at 55 Atlantic Ave. The event will feature appetizers and dinner; a performance by the Boston band, Unity; an open bar; and a silent auction. Tickets are $150. To purchase a ticket, or to obtain more information, call 781-586-1343. - John Laidler

SKATERS GOING NATIONAL - Winchester siblings have qualified to compete at the US Figure Skating Association's National Championship in St. Paul next month. Chris and Molly Schleicher competed in the championship in 2005 in novice pairs but didn't qualify last year. Now they will compete in the junior pairs division after coming in fourth place last month at an event in Wake Forest, N.C. Money is being raised for Chris, a junior at Harvard University, and Molly, a Winchester High senior, to travel to the championships through the New England Amateur Skating Foundation. Tax-deductible donations may be made to the foundation on behalf of the Schleichers at PO Box 6881, Providence, RI 02940. - Kytja Weir