Sixty days in, Mayor Robert Van Campen’s administration has put out its own progress report. As city press releases go, this one is polished, upbeat, and careful with specifics when specifics might be inconvenient.
The basic pitch is simple: the new administration spent its first two months “stabilizing” operations, filling leadership posts, reviewing finances, and laying groundwork for bigger decisions later. Fine. That is what new administrations usually say when they are still in the phase of opening cabinets and discovering what the last guy left behind.
Van Campen says, “This has been about getting to work right away,” and “taking a hard look at where we are.” Fair enough. Everett did not exactly emerge from the previous era in showroom condition.
On staffing, the administration says it assembled a senior leadership team, made appointments to boards and commissions, and wanted “new perspectives.” That phrase can mean almost anything. The real question is whether these appointments are there to govern or to posture. In Everett, that matters.
The release also highlights two “historic promotions” in the Police Department: the first Black Sergeant and first female Lieutenant. Van Campen says, “Our leadership should reflect the community we serve.” That is straightforward enough. Promotions matter. So does whether the department functions well afterward. Symbolism is easy to announce. Management is harder.
On schools, the administration says it is working with Everett Public Schools to explore a new high school and a possible middle school while putting $3.5 million in ARPA money into the former Everett High School building. Chief Development Officer Monica Lamboy calls that “a practical approach.”
Maybe. But “explore options,” “potential development,” and “space needs analysis” are still planning language, not deliverables. The one hard number in the release is the $3.5 million commitment. That is real money. Taxpayers deserve to know exactly what stabilization work it buys, how long it extends the life of the building, and what the actual long-term facilities plan is.
The administration also says it is reviewing ARPA spending, grants, and city finances for “transparency” and “accountability.” Again, good. Necessary, even. But a review is not the same thing as public accounting. If they are “taking a close look at every dollar,” as Van Campen says, then the public should eventually see that close look in a form more useful than campaign-grade adjectives.
The release points to a $1.2 million playground improvement project at Cpl. Arthur Nelson and says road, water, and sewer work will be coordinated to “maximize available funding.” That is the kind of dull sentence that actually matters. Infrastructure is not glamorous, but busted pavement and old pipes cost working people money.
The administration also says it is rebuilding ties with the MBTA, state officials, and planning groups, especially around commuter rail access. Good. Everett needs actual leverage with regional players, not just ceremonial meetings and photos.
So what did the first 60 days produce? A few real commitments, a lot of review language, and a broad promise that competent adults are back in the room. After what Everett has dealt with, that is not nothing.
But it is still mostly foundation talk. The interesting part comes next: whether this administration can turn “stabilizing” into decisions, and whether it governs from documents and budgets or from whatever pressure campaign shouts loudest that week.