Globe OpEd EHA Board Meeting 10/28 - A Safe and Affordable Everett Housing Authority is a Necessity
Submitted for the Boston Globe's Consideration
http://www.everetthousingauthority.org/board.aspx
OpEd Boston Globe
Dear Op Ed,
Opinion: A Resident’s Perspective on Safety, Transparency, and Reform at the Everett Housing Authority
By Joe Viglione, Resident, Everett Housing Authority
On Tuesday night, October 27, 2026, I attended the Everett Housing Authority (EHA) Board of Commissioners meeting at 393 Ferry Street. The front page of the EHA website proudly states its mission: "helping provide safe and affordable housing" in the City of Everett. However, recent events show that the reality at the Whittier Drive property falls short of this goal.
The public safety dangers at Whittier are clear. On July 15, 2026, tenant Angel Roman was arrested. A year prior, in October 2025, Charles Censullo was removed in handcuffs and admitted to CHA Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. Following the conclusion of Tuesday’s one-hour meeting, I spoke directly with the new Executive Director, James Holt, at 6:00 PM to reiterate these pressing security concerns. I had previously addressed the Board of Commissioners on the same issues during their brief, 30-minute meeting in September.
I believe I am the first tenant to speak before the Board in years. Under former Executive Director Stephen Kergo, I was barred from even attending these public sessions—a blatant violation of the Open Meeting Law. After four years of being shut out, the political landscape has thankfully shifted. Under our excellent new mayor, Robert Van Campen, a newly appointed Board not only welcomed my attendance and public comment, but they also took action. Last night, the Board agreed to have Mr. Holt send a formal letter to all tenants, explicitly informing them that they are welcome to attend and participate in public meetings. In my four years and two months living here under the previous administration of ex-mayor Carlo DeMaria, no such transparency ever existed.
Despite these positive steps forward, remnants of the DeMaria era continue to plague the authority. Based on information and belief, it is my opinion that key figures from the previous administration must be removed to ensure a clean break from past practices. This includes Housing Supervisor Nicole DiPierro (DeMaria’s cousin), Housing Coordinator Jean Daniel (a pastor DeMaria unsuccessfully backed for office), and attorney Francis La Rovere III. Whether or not these individuals actively participated in former Director Kergo’s efforts to silence tenants is debatable; what is certain is that they benefited from and enabled the "cone of silence" imposed on our elderly citizenry. Did they allow others to speak while deliberately making an example of me? Who knows? Check the meeting minutes. Furthermore, while EHA meeting minutes from 2025 are publicly available, the 2026 minutes from this past summer—during Ms. DiPierro’s tenure as Interim Executive Director—are strangely missing. I cannot find them at least. Perhaps time for another public records request.
See meeting minutes here: http://www.everetthousingauthority.org/default.aspx
In October 2025, while on the campaign trail, then-City Councilor Van Campen promised to clean up the nepotism and violence at Whittier Drive. While we applaud the appointment of his new Board of Commissioners and the initial steps toward transparency, the urgent safety needs of Everett's elderly residents have yet to be fully addressed. True reform requires thorough accountability and a complete restructuring of the personnel who managed the failures of the past.
Mr. LaRovere, Ms. DiPierro, Mr. Daniel, have to exit if we are to have a chance for safety,
and a reprieve from the many instances of elder bullying that we have experienced.
and a reprieve from the many instances of elder bullying that we have experienced.
Board of Commissioners of Everett Housing Authority
Respectfully submitted, Joe Viglione, President
Varulven Ventures LLC
Boston, MA
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