While we do our best to focus on news and events directly concerning Wakefield, sometimes it’s nice to know what’s going on in neighboring communities. Welcome to the weekly regional news roundup, which will bring you the top news from the towns directly surrounding Wakefield.
Note: Original reporting from Melrose Patch, Malden Patch, Stoneham Patch and Medford Patch.
Medford: Springstep Building Listed for Sale: The Springstep studios building in Medford has been listed for sale. The asking price: $4.65 million. The 16,000 square-foot facility is being offered for sale through NAI Hunneman, a Boston-based commercial real estate company. The building was constructed and Springstep opened in 2003. Springstep was established as a non-profit organization in 2000 by Deborah Hawkins, a supporter of folk and social dance. It aims to provide a “permanent home for these interconnected and culturally important art forms,” according to the website.
Melrose: Commuter Rail Parking Rate Hike Approved: Those who park at one of Melrose’s three commuter rail stops to jump on the train into Boston will pay an additional $1 per day and more for multi-day parking passes, after the Melrose Board of Aldermen approved the increases Monday night. The aldermen by an 8-2 vote approved City Hall’s request to bump the $2 daily rate to $3. Also, the $35 monthly passes would be eliminated, replaced by the option of purchasing at new pay-and-display machines either a 10-day pass for $27.50 or a 20-day pass for $50.
Malden: Hundreds Expected To Protest MBTA Board Meeting Wednesday: Hundreds of seniors, people with disabilities, and other T riders are expected to show up at an MBTA Board meeting Wednesday to protest planned cuts in service and fare hikes, according to a press release issued by Mass. Senior Action and Mass. Uniting. The protest will occur at 12:30 p.m. at the Transportation Building in Boston. The group plans on asking the board “to adopt alternative funding solutions that do not balance the T’s budget deficit on the backs of riders.”
Stoneham: Stoneham Native Captures All-American Track and Field Honors for Fitchburg State College: It has been 17 years since a Fitchburg State College (FSC) track and field athlete was crowned as an All-American. That is, until this past weekend when Stoneham native Matthew Muolo achieved the feat. Muolo, a senior at FSC, earned this honor at the 2012 Men’s Indoor Track Field Championships hosted by Grinnell College, where he earned top eight honors in the weight throw after posting a 17.98m (59 feet, 9 inches) throw. Muolo set his NCAA qualifying mark in the event with a throw of 18.62m to finish atop the pack.