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Emergency Planning  Key to Success

My first newsletter highlighted the changes we were making in the area of emergency management. Our new system was put to the test, and while the system bent, it did not break! My thanks to Emergency Management Director John Santoro and Emergency Management  coordinator Dennis Bergeron, who helped make the City’s response successful. We will review our response as a team shortly and determine what worked and what needed improvement. Please drop me a line if you have any suggestions for us in this area.

Aid Coordination

As soon as we have received the details on Federal and State aid, including a Federal Declaration of disaster we will post them on the city website, as well as our cable channel. Please stay tuned for that.

IBEW Local 103 and our Technical School

My sincere thanks to IBEW Local 103 and Lou Antonellis. Lou and I talked about ways to get the local more involved, and the result of those discussions was the Pre-Apprentice partnership between the Greater Lawrence Technical School and Local 103. 2 Local GLTS students every year, who exemplify high standards, have the highest-grade average and the best over-all attendance will be offered entrance into the best Apprenticeship Program the Electrical Industry has to offer. They will receive the most competitive wages, premium health care coverage (paid 100% thru the employer) and a true Pension Plan that guarantees benefits after a brilliant career.

My thanks to Superintendent-Director Frank Vacirca and the staff for all of their work in putting this program together, and congratulations to the three Technical School students selected for this years program. Link to the Local 103 website at http://www.ibew103.com/

Methuen Honors Tuskegee Airman Luther McIlwain

The City honored lifetime Methuen resident Luther McIlwain in a ceremony in the Great Hall. Luther served his country as a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. The Tuskegee were recently recognized by being awarded the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. Luther McIlwain represents a generation that fought for their country and fought against racial bigotry. We are proud to have him as a Methuen resident.

Disaster Assistance

President Bush recently made the federal disaster designation necessary for Methuen residents and business to seek federal disaster relief. Homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage in the flood may apply to FEMA by phone at 1-800-621-3362 or on the web at http://www.fema.gov They ask that people have social security, phone, address, insurance and damage information ready. FEMA reps are still in our area.

Affordable Housing

As part of our ongoing effort to increase the number of affordable housing units for our residents, I am pleased to tell you about an opportunity to purchase a newly constructed single family detached condominium at Stone Castle — an Active Adult Condominium Development off Tyler Road for $183,500.

In permitting this development, the City required the maximum advantage allowed by law for local residents in the awarding of the affordable units. Methuen residents will have priority for purchase of 70% of the affordable units at Stone Castle. I have been notified that the first seven (7) of these affordable units will be ready for occupancy this summer. Five (5) of the first seven (7) units will have the local residence preference.

Application packages are now available on the City’s website:  ww.ci.methuen.ma.us or may be picked up at the Community Development Office or the Nevins Library.

The deadline for submitting applications is June 23, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. If there are more eligible applicants than units, a lottery will be held on June 29th to select those who will be able to purchase these units.

Eligibility: At least one member of the household must be 55 years of age or older. No permanent member of the household may be less than 18 years of age.

Total household income must not exceed limits shown in the chart below. Applicants need not be first time homebuyers, but must sell the home they own when they purchase at Stone Castle, which must be their permanent residence. Other eligibility criteria are explained in the application package.

Unit Descriptions: Each unit is a detached, 1,900 + square foot two-story single family condominium with an attached two car garage.
Condominium Fees for the affordable units are just $97 per month.

Flood Relief Available for Residents and Businesses

Homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage in the flood my apply to FEMA by phone at 1-800-621-3362 or on the web at http://www.fema.gov They ask that people have social security, phone, address, insurance and damage information ready. FEMA reps are still in our area.
 

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The June, 2006 Edition of the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly Publication.
All Contents (C) 2006, Valley Patriot, Inc.
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Prior Columns by Bill Manzi