Everett Council Postpones $3 Million Everett Square Borrowing After Residents Raise Safety, Parking and Engagement Concerns

The Everett City Council voted to postpone a $3 million borrowing request for proposed Everett Square improvements after extended public comment and council debate about parking, safety and stakeholder outreach.

The borrowing measure, presented as item 25, would fund sidewalks, pavers, trees and a redesigned park area in Everett Square. Jay Monti, director of transportation and mobility, told the council his office had revised some design elements since the last briefing, ran fire-truck turning simulations and planned adjustments to curbing if vehicle movements proved problematic. He said some funding pieces — including a legislative earmark and expected gaming commission funds — are in place but the full project depends on the council appropriation.

Residents and business owners pressed the council to delay a vote. Sal Sacco, an abutter, said he had just received additional answers from Monti and asked for more time to review safety issues including double-parked delivery trucks, mail and UPS access, and possible flooding and sidewalk impacts. Multiple speakers objected to taking away parking and to treating only one corner of the square for upgrades. "I don't think that's a way to beautify Everett, singling out one corner in the square," said John Popolo, urging a more balanced approach for storefronts and businesses.

Councilors also raised questions about the plan's age and community outreach. One councilor said the design relied on older information and recommended fresh, targeted engagement with business owners and residents; another suggested holding meetings at community spaces so elderly abutters need not come to City Hall.

Monti said construction would likely not begin for six to eight weeks even if funded and that some public engagement and adjustments could take place during the early stages of work. He confirmed the administration can modify plans and has met repeatedly with Sacco and other stakeholders to address specific items.

After discussion, the council voted to postpone the appropriation to the second meeting in June to allow administration-led outreach to affected businesses and residents and for Monti to report back with any additional updates. The administration was asked to send direct, translated notices to business owners and to consider neighborhood meetings. The postponement preserves the council’s ability to revisit the borrowing when more stakeholder input and technical clarifications are available.