In this edition of the Mayor’s Corner, Mayor Reardon begins with a re-cap of last week’s storm and its aftermath. He applauds the Fire and Police Departments and DPS for keeping residents safe during the storm and for their ongoing clean-up efforts. Mayor Reardon remembers three legendary Newburyporters who passed away recently – Mary Larnard, an NPS educator and principal, Bev Stehlin, wife of legendary coach Jim Stehlin, who passed last year, and his own uncle, Roger Fuller, a renowned high school track & field coach in Methuen, MA. Marshal Mark Murray announced his retirement after 30 years on the NPD. Mayor Reardon has begun the process of replacing him by forming a 9-member search committee led by former Sherriff Frank Cousins. Whittier Tech announced this week that they are exploring a shared campus model with Northern Essex Community College. While there is still much to explore, this was a very positive announcement. The Mayor discussed his proposal for the remainder of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, which would include $700,000 to finish the Philips Drive project, $120,000 for a drainage study and plan at Marquand Lane, $282,654 for the Lower Atkinson Common Safety Project and the rest for the Streets and Sidewalks plan. There was a minor breach of the Lower Artichoke Dam that occurred during the January 13th flooding. On April 24th, there will be a presentation and Q&A at 2 p.m. at the Senior Community Center that will include an overview of the City’s water supply and reservoir protection efforts. We will follow this meeting with a visit to the Lower Artichoke Dam so that DPS staff can show members of the public and the Council the site and describe the mitigation work in more detail. Transportation to the dam will be provided. You can sign up for the site visit here: https://forms.gle/dFtcfoiTfrD6uCW98 There will be a “Sox Box” in the lobby at City Hall from Tuesday, April 9th – April 26th as a part of Mission Sox, an organization started by Jackson and Isla DeVivo. Please donate a new pair of socks in any size, color, or style for those in need. Other sox box locations will be at all Newburyport schools, the Immaculate Conception Church, the Senior Community Center and the Newburyport Public Library. Mayor Reardon will speak and remember the extraordinary Reverend Helen M. Murgida PhD. at her Memorial Service which will take place on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at First Religious Society of Newburyport Unitarian Universalist Church, at 1:00 p.m