Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, April 5, 2019 For History’s Sake H ere’s a few notes from the Saugus Historical Society that might be of interest to Saugus residents who share a passion for learning about their town’s past. “The Old Sachem” Bill Stewart will speak at the Saugus Historical Society Meeting next Wednesday (April 10), which will be held at the Saugus American Legion Hall (44 Taylor St. in Saugus). He will be speaking about the Saugus River from a different point of view – kayaking on the river and seeing the town from the water’s perspective. Bill is well known as he writes “The Old Sachem” column in both the Saugus Advertiser and The Saugus Advocate. He also teaches at Bunker Hill Community College and has an engineering degree and an MBA from Boston University. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. and the general public is welcome free of charge. Light refreshments will be served. Please note that the meeting is April 10, not April 17 as originally stated in the Saugus Historical Society Calendar. The Historical Society hopes that Saugus residents are enjoying the 2019 calendar. We are looking for historical pictures of the town for the 2020 calendar. If you have a picture or a few that you think Saugonians would enjoy seeing, we can have it copied and will consider it for the next calendar. Also, if you have a Saugus business and would like to be a calendar advertiser, we can send you a form for that. Looking for new board members There are still some positions open on the board slate of the Saugus Historical Society. Saugus residents who have an interest in local history are invited to consider joining the Saugus Historical Society board. Board members meet on the first Wednesday of each month. It is an all-volunteer organization. The Saugus Historical Society will hold its election for board members in May. Any Saugus resident who would like to discuss the possibility of joining the Historical Society board is welcome to call President Laura Eisener at 781-231-5988 or email ldeld@shore.net. Founded in 1928, the Saugus Historical Society’s purpose is to cultivate an interest in the history of the town and to collect and preserve all matter pertaining to the town’s history and citizenry. It is a 501c3 corporation which presents educational programs about local history. The popular Strawberry Festival is held each year on the third Saturday in June, and the society publishes a calendar (available at Town Hall, the Library and the Senior Center as well as well as a few other locations) with historic photographs of town sites, people and activities. Public invited to Saugus Middle-High School topping off ceremony next Friday (Editor’s Note: The following story is based on a press release issued by Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s Office.) T own Manager Scott Crabtree, the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee and the Saugus High School Project Building Committee are pleased to invite Saugus children, residents, Town and State officials, employees and business owners to attend a topping off ceremony to celebrate the raising of the last steel beam on the brandnew, grades 6-12 Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Saugus Middle-High School. The ceremony for this historic construction milestone will take place next Friday (April 12) at 11 a.m. at the Saugus Middle-High School construction site, which is located on Pearce Memorial Drive. All guests should park in the Upper Parking Lot, which is located to the left as you enter Pearce Memorial Drive. Guests will be directed to a clearly delineated walking path from the Upper Lot, through Gate A, and around the building to the Route One side. Upon arrival attendees will be given the opportunity to sign their name on the building’s last steel beam, painted white, which will be erected following a brief ceremony. The beam will be adorned with an American flag and a tree, a custom that celebrates the construction process and is viewed as the first introduction of the building to the public. “The Board of Selectmen, the School Committee, the School Building Committee, and I are thrilled to invite the community to attend this topping off ceremony for our brand-new Saugus MiddleA rendering of the new Saugus Middle-High School. A ceremony will be held next Friday to celebrate the final beam being put into place. (Courtesy Photo) High School,” Town Manager Crabtree said. “I encourage children, parents, Town and State officials, Town Meeting members, and residents to visit the site of our future Saugus Middle-High School on Friday, April 12 and help us celebrate this historic milestone in this exciting project that will dramatically benefit the community and its residents for decades to come.” Construction on the brandnew Middle-High School began last summer. Since then, approximately 5,100 pieces of steel weighing roughly 1,781 tons (or 3.56 million pounds) have been erected; approximately 14,600 cubic yards of concrete have been placed; roughly 22,000 square feet of roofing have been installed; and more than 85,000 laborhours have been worked. “I’m excited beyond belief to see this vision becoming a reality,” School Committee/Building Committee Chair Jeannie Meredith said. “I can’t thank the community enough for their continued support. It’s been a long time since the kids of Saugus were put first. This new, grades 6-12 MSBA Middle-High School and district-wide master plan solution is putting Saugus back on the map.” An overwhelming majority of Saugus residents voted to support a new, 21st -century education plan and MiddleHigh School and district-wide master plan solution that will continue to prioritize education within the community. Following the 71 percent approval vote on the new Middle-High School, the MSBA awarded Saugus a grant of up to $63.8 million to build the school, which will change the way education is delivered and help the school district achieve its goal to become a top-rated, Level 1 school district in Massachusetts. When complete, the new Middle-High School complex will total 270,000 total square feet, including a 12,000 squarefoot gymnasium and capacity for 1,360 students in grades 6-12. It will house state-of-theart science labs and technology classrooms, fine and performing arts classrooms and a 750-seat auditorium. In addition, plans include a new sports complex and outdoor track, walking paths, outdoor classrooms and student gardens. This district-wide master plan solution also calls for renovations to Belmonte Middle School and Veterans Memorial Elementary School. Following renovations, Belmonte will be established as an Upper Elementary School for grades 3-5, and Veterans will become a Lower Elementary School for pre-K to grade 2. Overall, the new, 21st -century education plan and MiddleHigh School district-wide master plan solution will: Facilitate the School District’s goal of moving from a Level 3 to a Level 1 school district. Allow the School District to provide fair and equal access to all students, enabling them to reach their highest potential and to continue to prioritize education. Maintain accreditation with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Address health and safety issues, including identified deficiencies in fire protection, sprinkler systems and ADA accessibility, ensuring that children are in the safest and most secure schools. “This new school, education plan, and district-wide vision will transform the way education is valued within this community. Most importantly, it will provide equal, equitable opportunities for students to access educational resources and reach their highest potential,” said Town Manager Crabtree. “We hope everyone will join us on Friday, April 12 to celebrate this enormous, historic milestone. This is a tremendous credit to Town officials and the residents of Saugus in supporting and investing in our children and educational system.”
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