Chelsea Boys & Girls club hosts electronic recycling day

December 4, 2008

ELECTRONIC RECYCLING DAY - This Saturday the Jordan Boys & Girls Club will host an Electronic Recycling Day from noon to 3 p.m. at Chelsea's Kraft Family Youth Center, 30 Willow St. Members of the Boys & Girls Club's Green Team will be on hand to collect electronic devices and household appliances for recycling. Fees will range from $5 to $10 depending on the item. Recyclables include cellphones, computers, air conditioners, and refrigerators. Both working and broken devices will be accepted. The team hopes to raise $500 for the club. For more information, contact Tunji Onamade at 617-884-9435, ext. 235.

-Daniel Ryan

OPEN SPACE PLAN - The town's Open Space and Recreation Plan Subcommittee recently held a public forum to present results of a survey of residents about their views on the town's open space and recreation needs. Now the subcommittee is reviewing and updating the goals, maps, and land inventory listed in the town's 1998 open space and recreation plan, according to conservation administrator Betty Adelson. The panel expects to present a draft of a new plan to town boards early in the spring. If approved by selectmen, the plan would be forwarded to state environmental officials for their approval. Cities and towns are required to have an up-to-date open space and recreation plan to be eligible for certain state grants. The subcommittee meets Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

- John Laidler

LESS FOR CITY GAS - The Finance Committee has decided to cut the amount the city transfers from its free cash account into the fuel fund to cover the cost of gas usage. Typically, it costs about $4,000 to fuel the city's many vehicles, including those used by the police, public works, fire, and inspectional services departments. Last month, with the recent dip in gas prices, the committee decided to transfer just $2,000 into the fuel fund. If the gas charges exceed the amount in the fund, the committee will revisit the issue and pay the balance due, said Ward 3 Councilor Paul J. DiPietro, who serves on the Finance Committee.

- Brenda J. Buote

GOOD NEWS FOR HOMEOWNERS - The average annual residential tax bill will go down $25 after the Board of Selectmen last week voted to shift the tax burden in town from homeowners to businesses. The Board of Assessors recommended the board use a factor of 1.75, the maximum allowed under Proposition 2 1/2, to determine the tax rate for the current fiscal year. That means commercial/industrial properties in town will share a larger burden of the tax levy. The new residential tax rate is $9.17 per $1,000 valuation. The average single-family home is valued at $363,400, meaning the tax bill will be $3,332. The new commercial rate is $19.76 per 1,000 valuation. The average commercial property value is $1,592,600, meaning the tax bill will be $31,470. The tax rates have been sent to the state Department of Revenue for approval, said Ron Keohan, the town's deputy assessor.

- Kathy McCabe

MARRA CONCERT SUNDAY - The annual Robert A. Marra Memorial Sounds of Christmas Concert is scheduled to return to St. Anthony's Church, 250 Revere St., Sunday at 4 p.m. The event will feature the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra and is free to anyone bringing a nonperishable food donation to benefit the Revere Food Pantry. The concert honors the late Robert A. Marra Sr., who was the orchestra's concertmaster until 1999 and a lifelong parishioner at St. Anthony's.

- Katheleen Conti