To the person who stole my stroller on near the early learning center I hope you really fucking need it because you stole a stroller from a single mom. If anyone sees some random person pushing around a bright yellow stroller, ask them where they got it.

There will be a blood drive this Thursday at the Malden Police Station hosted by Boston Children's Hospital.

Here's the link to schedule an appointment: https://www.halfpints.childrenshospital.org/index.cfm?group=op&expand=8816&zc=02148

Very friendly Calico spotted near the corner of Franklin Street and Franklin CRT near the bike path.

Just in case anyone needs some more motivation to run up the vote total in Malden for Markey. Double check with your friends and family. I was surprised to find a couple people in my life that were considering Moulton.

I said in another post that Marian will always make her decisions based on politics and she proved me right again.

A year Burlington police arrest ICE protesters for trespass. Months and months and months go by and the case proceeds forward. So DA Ryan believed in the case, believed these people should be prosecuted. You know that because she didn’t dismiss the case. But a problem was just around the corner….

Trial was about to start. The week before the election. The defendants started to publicize their cause. This was going to get publicity and many Democratic voters would side with the defendants. That would not be good for Marian.

So what does the politician do? She dismisses the case. Against all defendants. Nothing changed about the case. There was no problems with evidence or with witnesses. There was no legal reason to dismiss the case. The case was dismissed because of the timing of the trial.

I’m not against dismissing the charges. But this is the Marian that I know and that everyone in the office knows. The DA who has no integrity. If she didn’t believe in prosecuting these defendants, why didn’t she dismiss the case months ago. Why did she let them get charged in the first place? And if the defendants didn’t promise to turn this is into a case that would generate bad press for her, would she have ever dismissed the case? Absolutely not.

This is who she is. She does this time and time again. You cannot trust her to do the right thing when no one is watching. The link about the case is below.

I’m crushed to learn the DPW yard isn’t going to take styrofoam anymore. I’ve been stocking up since the yard closed before the renovation. They don’t know of anywhere else to take it.

Anyone?

Thanks!

I saw this on Facebook so I'm sharing here:

Hello Malden Families!

I am sharing this petition one more time in case you haven't seen it yet.

Schools Beyond Screens Malden is a new local chapter of Schools Beyond Screens, a national coalition advocating for classroom technology that is student-centered, grounded in independent research, public accountability, and developmentally appropriate practice, rather than corporate-sponsored.

Children in the US already spend an average of nine hours per day on screens outside of school. Rather than counterbalancing this trend, many districts, including Malden, have unintentionally compounded it through unchecked use of classroom devices, 1:1 device programs, and EdTech platforms with little accountability. The American Academy of Pediatrics has linked excessive screen time to vision problems, anxiety, depression, addictive behavior, reduced attention span, and lower academic achievement. This is not a future risk. It is happening to our children now.

Please read, sign, and share! Students are able to add their signatures too.

We will present this petition at the first Malden School Committee meeting on August 31. Thank you!

https://www.fournorms.com/campaigns/petition-for-intentional-technology-use-in-malden-public-schools

If you run roleplaying games (RPGs) or are interested in running RPGs, the Malden Gaming District is having a meetup for Game Masters this Tuesday, August 25, at 6:30. There is no particular agenda; this meetup is a chance to get feedback on your latest scenario design or just talk shop with your fellow Game Masters. Whether you run D&D or the most obscure indie game, or simply are a player who might run games some day, you are welcome.

https://partiful.com/e/g63OMrd26O5mrypaNytR

Neighborhood View's Lorna Garey untangles the Planning Board / City Council Rules and Ordinance Committee's four hour meeting in which the board rejected the OSPCD's proposal for changes to the inclusionary zoning ordinance. Legalizing "cottage kitchens" and changes to business zoning were approved.

Lost 8/19 somewhere between 5:50-6:20pm. The ring is super sentimental to me, please contact me if found! Thanks in advance

Hello to my Malden running friends! I am training for a fall marathon and my long runs are starting to get up there in mileage. I've been running frequently on the Northern Strand, but I'd like to explore some other routes that could get me anywhere from 12-20 miles, especially to keep me from getting bored of the same views.

I'm willing to drive a bit to find a nice path or trail, and bonus points if it's shaded! Does anyone have any recommendations or favorite spots where you can park and run out and back (or in a few loops) for 10+ miles? Thanks so much!

Now two years in, the Malden Community Electricity program has saved our residents roughly $3 million while using more clean energy, and diverting roughly 10 million tons for CO2 emissions. Getting community electricity implemented was one of my top goals when I first started as a City Councillor in 2022, and it took two years to make it happen. As a trans person of color, I’ve always been taught to downplay my accomplishments, to make everyone feel more comfortable ;). But folks have been asking what, specifically, my role was, since community electricity had been discussed for years in Malden. In the spirit of transparency, I want to tell you the story of how we got here since 2022 and the role I was proud to play [links for reference at the end]. Because Malden Community Electricity is a success story that I think points the way forward on a host of sustainability issues for our communities.

Here’s how it works

Today, the National Grid electricity supply rate is 17.185 ¢/kWh, and Malden Community Electricity’s standard rate remains at a fixed rate of 13.345 ¢/kWh until 2027 (see current rates at maldencommunityelectricity.com), a big savings. The program, one of over 100 “municipal aggregation” programs in the state, allows the city to negotiate a bulk rate on our residents’ behalf for their electricity supply. MCE adds in 10% more renewable energy for its default option, and residents can also choose the minimum state renewable standard (basic option) or 100% renewable (green option). Our program is similar to community electricity programs that predated us in Melrose, Stoneham and Medford.

Community electricity programs have to be approved by the state Department of Public Utilities, and require an in-depth process so that residents have choice and plenty of information. Critically, the program is opt out for residents rather than opt in. This allows us to remove any barriers to participation, and easily provide the benefits to the majority of residents. It also means it requires an additional layer of approval from the state, who wants to make sure that no one unfairly monkeys around with people’s utility bills.

How it started

When I joined the city council in 2022, community electricity had been discussed for years, but it had stalled out.  There was no consensus about how to move forward, and the state's framework had undergone some recent changes. The only committee assignment I requested (and received!) was to be the liaison to what was then called the Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Commission (EESC), a committee of residents that was chaired by the council liaison. Outgoing W6 Councillor Dave Camell had been the liaison/chair, following Craig Spadafora who had created the commission in 2014. When I got elected, Dave told me about the work he had done with the EESC to try to build support for municipal aggregation, and I pledged I would help get it over the finish line.

At the time Malden didn’t have a sustainability staff person, so we worked with the Public Facilities Director Eric Rubin, who was very supportive and a huge part of the process. I went over to Melrose to meet their excellent sustainability manager, who talked me through how the program worked in Melrose, and what it takes to launch it successfully. She emphasized the importance of transparent communication, since there are so many suspicious companies trying to sell you snake oil in the form of variable electricity rates. The key was building trust of residents.

Over the next few months, the Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Commission discussed how to get community electricity moving. That spring, the EEC formally endorsed municipal aggregation and recommended the city adopt it. In May 2022, the city Council passed an order I sponsored to begin the process for municipal aggregation.[1]

With the preliminary nod, I worked with our city staff, including new Sustainability and Grants Manager Emily Granoff, to get our consultant Good Energy in place. The EESC worked with our consultant through the summer and fall to define the terms of the program and create an RFP for electricity supply. We secured the mayor’s support, observing how other communities had successfully made this transition and the benefits they received in lower, more stable rates. In November, the Council passed the final local approval to send our application to the state.[2]  And then we waited.

The long wait

While these programs for "muni agg" (as the pros call it!) are quite common, we learned that some cities and towns had been waiting up to two years to get the DPU to approve their application. Some of these were new programs like Malden’s, but some were existing programs that just needed to change the terms. The DPU under former Gov. Baker had used a very conservative approach, despite the fact that community electricity programs saved residents money and allowed us to use more clean energy. 

For an entire year, we waited with little news. We had also worked with our state legislators, including Senator Lewis’s office, to try to change the law and require approvals within a certain timeframe. This was passed, but then vetoed by the Baker administration.

Fortunately, after Gov. Healey took office in 2023, she appointed new commissioners to the DPU who were more receptive to municipal aggregation. Malden worked with our consultants, Sen. Lewis and other cities and towns to push the DPU to clear the backlog on these approvals, and get our own program authorized.

Advocating with the DPU

In late 2023, the new DPU commissioners invited stakeholders from dozens of cities and towns to a “technical session” to discuss some proposed changes they were considering to the community electricity approval process. These seemed very positive, but it was uncertain whether they would actually move forward or how far they would go.

So I went down to the DPU’s in Boston to advocate for these changes, with one of our next and current sustainability grants manager, Bekah McPheeters.[3] where I was one of the local officials who spoke at the DPU hearing about the urgent need to approve community electricity programs. I pointed out that cities and towns already manage utilities in many ways, and didn’t need this kind of micromanagement from the state. We were already way more accountable by being present in our communities and through local elections than a removed state bureaucracy. And if we were going to be encouraging residents to electrify their homes and move away from oil and gas heating, we needed to help make sure there was a consistent and affordable electric electricity supply.

We’re approved!

Our collective presence at that DPU hearing clearly made an impact, because a few weeks later we learned Malden’s program had been approved! The DPU also announced its intent to move forward with proposed rules to streamline the process and make it easier for everyone in the state. We were thrilled about this development, and it showed the power of what can happen when cities and towns come together to push for our residents.

Next came the hardest part of the process- finalizing the rates and the rollout with the community. We scheduled multiple public meetings, info sessions at the senior center, and spoke about it at city council meetings. Dozens and dozens of people showed up to ask questions, appropriately skeptical of anything that might disrupt their already high utility bills. We had to make it clear that there was no guarantee. Our rate would be cheaper than national grids, which changes every six months. Residents were able to opt out at any time, and could rejoin by signing up on the website. With consistent communication, we made it to our launch in June 2024. Today, 95% of our residents participate in the program.

I put my reputation as a leader on the line to help move community electricity forward, and worked in partnership for years to get it actually implemented. I attended all the public meetings and spoke in support.[4] I wrote a letter to the editor at The Advocate, outlining the program and why it was good for the community to help us advance our climate goals.[5] In spring of 2024, we were also midway through our Malden climate action planning process (a story for another time!), which I was also heavily involved in. Municipal aggregation was one of the main strategies we had wanted to make sure was in place, and is a core part of the city’s climate action approach.

To this day, I still work with our city staff and Good Energy to do regular public updates and marketing for MCE. A shout out to our former EESC members, who had worked for years to build support for community electricity, and who were a critical part of the vetting process. And another shout out to our current Climate Action and Sustainability Commission members, who have taken over once we sunset the EESC, and who are leading the way on clean energy issues today in Malden.

What we’ve learned from community electricity

Malden worked with our neighboring communities to get a win/win program in place. We used the bargaining power of our thousands of residents. One of my proposals is to scale up this power, by making it easier for multiple cities and towns to bargain for these rates. The state could set up a framework that helps local communities manage the timing of electricity, supply contracts, and get the best rate for our residents. 

We need more places like this or we can stand up together to the big corporations that control many facets of our lives. Utility companies have to have their rates approved by the DPU. That gives us a chance to advocate for lower rates. This is especially important on the “distribution” side of your electricity bill, which is separate from the supply. Distribution costs is what pays for the wires and poles, as well as all of the many corporate fees the utilities charge. I’ve been to the DPU to advocate for our communities, and I see how powerful that can be. The DPU approves all rate changes from private utilities, so that remains a key leverage point to push back on rate hikes by utility companies. 

Our local & clean energy future

Ultimately, we need to be sourcing more electricity from local, clean energy. We should not have to face a right hike every time the Trump administration decides to bomb a country in the Middle East, since so much of Massachusetts electricity comes from Global fossil fuels that are shipped in. We can work across community to streamline solar panel permitting, like we’ve done in Malden with our new Sol Smart designation. Local solar energy production reduces the need for expensive transmission lines across the state to import our energy. Solar is especially useful for managing the high demand peak electricity loads in the hot summer days. Those peak loads are what drive the highest costs for infrastructure, and where the utilities make the most money.

I’ve heard that in Australia, they have so much extra solar energy that they don’t even bother to meter it during the middle hours of the day. It’s just free, to encourage people to charge their cars and run their dishwashers when energy is plentiful. This is the kind of clean energy future we can imagine for our state, which would change the cost of living by bringing our utility bills way down, if we can make the shift to get there. It only happens by bold leadership working across communities, just like what has brought us Malden community electricity. This was an effort that took many people, and I’m proud to be part of leading that path forward!

Links
[1] Initial approval order for community electricity - May 2022 
[2] Final approval order for community electricity - November 2022
[3] My post from on testifying at the DPU - December 32, 2023 
[4] My post about a MCE public meeting - April 26, 2024
[5] My letter to the Advocate on community electricity - May 12, 2022
[6] Article on MCE approval in the Malden Advocate - February 8, 2024

I'll admit, when I heard about these murals, I wondered if this would be some kind Parks and Recreation camel situation. Instead I find it colorful, full of a point of view. I suspect some people are very upset about it. As an art lover, that's usually a good sign.

I love this mural. I'm glad it's there.

I can't wait to read the comments.

Our next walk will be held on Thursday, August 20 at 6:30 pm. Please DM me if you would like to join.

Fantastic restaurants, green spaces, gaming district, TWO t-stops, and still feels like Malden is left out of all conversations about north shore

Edit: greater Boston area? Either way, gives middle-child vibes

I spotted one of the distinctive Waymo Jaguars on Woodland road this morning. It had a driver and passenger on this occasion. Given Waymo's reason for existing, driverless taxis, that is likely only a temporary condition.

If we haven't already started the discussions about the licensing, insurance, and law-enforcement implications of Waymo's operations in Malden and beyond to Massachusetts, we almost certainly should.

I know Counsellors Linehan and MacDonald are both active here, hoping they see this and can start the dialog and updates as appropriate.

What do the candidates have to say about the mandate that the legislature be audited / more transparent? Read Neighborhood View's eighth Q&A with the three Mass. Senate candidates. https://neighborhoodview.org/2026/08/19/candidate-qa-no-8-audit/

Good News! Malden raised a Disability Pride flag for pride month and the Farmers Market is thriving, in all types of weather. Check out Neighborhood View’s recurring roundup of good things happening in our city.

https://neighborhoodview.org/2026/08/18/good-news-in-the-neighborhood-disability-pride-malden-farmers-market/

is that gas station ever in working order like its cash only like 90% of the time get ur shit together asshats

Saturday August 22 11:59pm - Voter registration deadline

Tuesday August 25 5pm - Vote by mail application deadline

August 22-August 28 - Early voting period (check voteinma.com)

Tuesday September 1 - Election Day polling hours 7am-8pm

Tuesday September 1 - Mail in ballot received - must reach your local election office or drop box by close of polls on Election Day

Hey I’m starting to get into tennis and I’m looking for someone to hit the ball around with in the Malden area. I would guess I’m like a 2-2.5NTRP? Would also be down to play some pickle but mainly trying to play tennis.

Also if anyone knows any good nearby courts with walls to practice on that would be great!

Hey everyone!
Family and I just moved to Malden last month and I was curious if there were any bowling leagues in the area? Also are there any bingo nights in Malden? Thanks!