News Nearby: Sidewalk Cafes Approved in Wakefield

Each Saturday, Melrose Patch will run a round-up with links to stories from surrounding communities that are of interest to Melrosians.

WAKEFIELD—Wakefield residents approved allowing sidewalk cafes and assisted living facilities to operate in town, but shot down the prospect of bed and breakfasts during the final night of town meeting Monday. 

Despite some discussion about whether or not the idea was feasible or if it would encourage a “barroom atmosphere” in the town, the article concerning sidewalk cafes passed with a large majority.

:

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is expected to begin construction of a 20-million-gallon water storage tank behind the site of the former Boston Regional Medical Center on Woodland Road in Stoneham June 1, according to Town Administrator David Ragucci.

"(The MWRA) will be working on that tank until the completion date, anticipating compeltion of the tank sometime in the fall of 2014," Ragucci said during Tuesday night's Selectmen's session at . The MWRA has said they expect to complete the project in late 2014, according to a press statement.

MALDEN—A Thursday morning house fire in a Fremont St. triple-decker±only blocks from the city's former East Side Fire Station—came on the heels of a strong statement from the firefighter's union last week, criticizing Mayor Gary Christenson for failing to “prioritize the safety initiatives of our Malden Fire Fighters”, including the creation of a new station for the city's east side. 

“It appears that the Malden Fire Department and the concerns of Fire Fighters and citizens alike remain not a priority with the current administration,” union president George Romvos wrote in a statement.

“More than a year after the closing of the Maplewood Fire Station in Ward 6 due to the deplorable conditions of that station, we have yet to see any commitment toward building a new station dedicated to protecting residents on the east side of Malden.”

MEDFORD—The Medford Farmers Market accept payments from state subsidized food-buying cards this year, with a little kicker.

Through a grant from Medford Health Matters, individuals on the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will receive up to a $20 match on any purchases from the market, according to a press release from health matters.