From fire to snow, openings to closings, and construction to demolition, it’s been a year of ups and downs. Here, in no particular order, are 18 stories that helped define 2018 in the near North Shore.
Lynn’s broke
The city’s in a tough financial situation heading into 2019. Mayor Thomas M. McGee spent much of the year working through the details of a $14 million loan from the state to cover the yawning fiscal year 2019 budget gap. That money’s been spent, and Lynn now has to work without a net as it tries to close a projected $5 million deficit for fiscal 2020; the state’s Department of Revenue says its lending window is closed.
Stormy weather
This has been a great year for fans of puddle jumping. The North Shore was wracked with storm after miserable storm in March, which led to piles of snow and submerged shorelines. It took towns months to deal with all of the damage from the powerful weekly nor’easters. Then, in August, Lynn was subjected to a freak deluge. Nearly 8 inches of water pounded the city in three hours, creating a flash flood just 11 months after a similar event. Fixing Lynn’s antiquated sewer system, and addressing the flooding concerns of Saugus, Swampscott, Nahant and other surround communities, continues to be a priority heading into 2019.
Thomas Shannon Daniels
Swampscott principal Thomas Shannon Daniels came out as transgender in February, prompting a warm public response from administrators and parents alike. But Daniels, who prefers he/him pronouns, left the school just weeks after the announcement, citing hurtful personal responses to his announcement. That led to a settlement in the fall, allowing Daniels to return as a teacher for the 2019-2020 school year, provided he meet specific requirements about what he wears and how students refer to him.
Fires
Several high-profile fires took a toll on residents and businesses alike in 2018. A century-old house went up in flames on Broad Street in Lynn in January, leaving several families homeless. In Revere, the venerated appliance store Sozio burned so hot and so fast, a column of smoke could be seen from planes landing at Logan Airport that February evening. In September, a fire in a Franklin Avenue condo complex left 120 Revere residents out on the street.
Shuttered businesses
Businesses come and go, but a number of community stalwarts locked up for good this year. Garelick Farms abruptly announced it would close its Lynnway facility, stranding workers and frustrating Lynn city officials. In Revere, NECCO pulled a similar trick, announcing it would declare bankruptcy and sell the brand. Local restaurants Hayward’s, Spud’s and The Porthole also turned off their burners this year.
Burned body found in Lynn
The grisly discovery of a burned body near a Lynn playground shocked the community in December. Neighbors spotted the body and contacted police immediately. The investigation continues.
Revere crash kills 2 sisters
The horror that followed a Revere car crash broke the hearts of people across the state. Two sisters, just 5 years old and 2 months old, were killed when Autumn Harris of Boston drove into the family standing near the corner North Shore Road and Winthrop Parkway in Revere. Charges, including manslaughter, are pending against Harris.
Lynn development
Lynn’s redevelopment seems to accelerate in 2018, with several signature projects underway. On Munroe Street, a 190-unit residential project broke ground. A new YMCA building now houses activities for kids and adults alike. The state transferred ownership of the Lynn Armory to the city, paving the way for more affordable housing. And on the Lynnway, a deal was announced to fix a cracked landfill cap, which should beget more open space on the city’s waterfront. The Beacon Chevrolet site still sits fallow, however, as the developer continually pushed back start on the massive residential project. On the other end of the road, the Lynnway’s Mini Mart will be transformed next year into a 550-unit residential property with significant commercial space as well.
Northeastern and Nahant’s wetlands
If Northeastern University thought they could expand their Nahant holdings, they were sorely mistaken. Residents came out in force to oppose any change at the East Point complex, despite the school’s assurance that they would not increase the footprint of the existing buildings. They also decried an increase in the facility’s water intake system, saying it would harm the local ecosystem by warming the waters along the town’s shores. It culminated in a controversial Special Town Meeting, where voters narrowly supported passage of strict wetlands protections for the community. Complaints about how that vote was handled led to talk of a second special meeting, which led to another round of angry shouting. That plan was scrapped, but expect the wetlands issue to come up again at the annual Town Meeting next year.
The business of marijuana
Pot’s legal and seemingly here to stay. Lynn’s first medical marijuana shop opened in November on the Lynnway, and three recreational pot shop are in various stages of planning for the city. In Peabody, plans to convert Brothers Kouzina restaurant into a medical dispensary faced twists and turns during the year, though the business should switch purposes in 2019. Peabody also put the kibosh on recreational pot sales in the community. The city had voted against a statewide ballot on legalization, giving them the ability to ban the sale within its borders.
Lynnfield water woes
Drinking water remained a hot topic in the tony suburb throughout the year, with residents voting to reject a planned water treatment facility. That left several unhappy residents with brown water still flowing from their kitchen and bathroom taps. The town also sparred over a mineral water business parked close — a little too close for critics — to a neighborhood.
Route 1 development
It was a year of change along Route 1 in Saugus, with two major developments taking shape. The former Hilltop property once again became a place for beef when the 110 Grill opened its doors in December. The restaurant is the first big tenant to open in AvalonBay’s sprawling site, which will soon feature both residential and commercial components. A similar project is unfolding further south on the highway, where Essex Landing is taking shape under the watchful eye of the former Route 1 Mini Golf’s orange dinosaur. Kane’s Donuts will open a drive-thru location at the development in early 2019.
R.I.P. VHS
It was the end of an era when Chet’s Video and Candy Shoppe closed its doors. The Marblehead shop, one of the last that offered films to rent on VHS, closed its doors in style, with a party for its most loyal customers. Fans even bought desserts for the soirée.
It takes a (medical) village to replace Union Hospital
After several contentious meetings with residents worried about the loss of emergency care close to home, North Shore Medical Center unveiled plans to turn the venerable Union Hospital into a “medical village.” There may no longer be surgical suites or an ER, but a new 37,000 square-foot, $23 million facility will offer urgent care, basic lab and radiology services, outpatient psychiatry services and an expanded home for the North Shore Physicians Group Lynn.
St. John’s and St. Mary’s make it to their Super Bowls
The saints came marching in for two local high school football teams. St. Mary’s and St John’s both made it to their respective divisional Super Bowls, playing televised games at Gillette Stadium. St. John’s carried the day, defeating Catholic Memorial 40-22 in the Division 1 game. St. Mary’s, meanwhile, bowed to Blackstone Valley 18-0 in the Division 7 game.
Diver drowns in Nahant waters
Rescue workers were unable to rescue a diver who drowned off the coast of Nahant in October. The 37-year-old man had been diving from the Town Wharf when he failed to emerge from the water. Fire departments from surrounding communities sent boat teams to help in the search and rescue, to no avail.
Saugus, Nahant scolded for open records law violations
Attorney General Maura Healey’s office rebuked the Saugus School Committee and Nahant town officials this year, ordering them to be more responsive to open meeting and public record laws. In Saugus, the School Committee was dinged for meeting in locations not publicly listed and for meeting in executive session — in private — without a proper reason to do so. Nahant’s Open Space and Recreation Master Plan Committee was cited for similar illegal executive session meetings and for failing to provide proper meeting minutes in a timely manner. Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin also got into the act in Nahant, ordering Town Clerk Margaret Barile to release documents sought by resident J.S. Bianchi.
Nahant former town manager files, settles discrimination suit
It came as a surprise in March when Jeffrey Chelgren, Nahant’s town manager, was placed on leave with no reason given. He resigned a few days later, but not before filing a discrimination lawsuit against he town. The suit made 11 eye-popping allegations, including threats and intimidation. Selectman Enzo Barile strenuously denied all the charges levied in the suit, which was withdrawn after Chelgren and the town came to a settlement.
