Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 YEAR | FROM PAGE 2 ning the White House four years earlier. But the 76 percent turnout was slightly less than four years ago as there were fewer contested local races. State Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) won his sixth twoyear term without opposition in the Ninth Essex House District. Meanwhile, Revere Democratic candidate Jessica Ann Giannino won the right to replace state Rep. RoseLee Vincent (D-Revere) in the 16th Suffolk District race without opposition. She represents Saugus voters in Precincts 3 and 10. 7) Saugus Public Schools Suwww.eight10barandgrille.com We Have Reopened for Dine-In and Outside Seating every day beginning at 4 PM perintendent Dr. David DeRuosi, Jr.’s announcement that he plans to retire next June 30 – at the end of his current contract and the end of the school year. DeRuosi, who will be finishing up a five-year stint as leader of Saugus Public Schools, appears to be ending a career as a public educator which spans more than three decades. While his departure comes at a time when the school district is trying to cope with the challenges of COVID-19, considerable work also remains in making significant improvements to the town education system, which now boasts a state-ofthe-art Middle-High School. But if DeRuosi keeps his WE'RE OPEN! 8 Norwood Street, Everett (617) 387-9810 Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma STAY SAFE! word, the transition to a new school superintendent won’t be so difficult. He told the committee in early December that he doesn’t “plan on being any less intense or less driven” as he winds down his five years as superintendent of Saugus Public Schools. Besides completing several challenging projects, he also vows to help the School Committee launch a search for his replacement before he retires. 8) A veterans housing project proposed for the site of the former Amato’s Liquor Store has sparked outrage among residents who live in the neighborhood. The Revere-based nonprofit organization Rising Community & Housing, Inc. plans a 24unit veterans housing project for 206 Lincoln Ave. But residents who live near the site have complained that the project will just add to a longtime flooding problem which has plagued the neighborhood. The neighbors have argued the project is too big for the 23,000 square foot lot and will only worsen flooding in the area. Selectmen Michael Serino and Debra Panetta have also said they have major concerns about the size of the project that has been proposed. But the town’s Conservation Commission voted unanimously in November to approve an order of numerous conditions that it required the developer to meet in order to comply with state wetlands regulations and town zoning codes. At year’s end, the neighbors were contemplating potential legal action by filing an appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals challenging the project’s Dover Amendment status if necessary. The amendment is a state law that allows for exemptions for nonprofit organizations. Opponents noted that a small portion of the property lies within R-1 (Residential A – Single Family) zoning district. The three-story building complies with B-1 (Business-Neighborhood) zoning district, but it is five feet higher than what is allowed in R-1 district. The Dover Amendment – if it applies in the developer’s case – would allow the project to proceed as planned. Neighbors are hoping that a legal opinion obtained by the Town of Saugus which disputes the project’s Dover status will help them if they go to court. The developer has produced a conflicting opinion quoting the late Saugus Building Commissioner Fred Varone that the project does qualify under the Dover Amendment. 9) Saugus United 2035. More than three decades have passed since the town completed its Master Plan – that invaluable document that offers a definitive strategy to guide a community through future growth and development. In 2020 town officials, with the help of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), began an 18-month mission to update the plan with a “KickOff Visioning Forum” for the project called “Saugus United 2035, which allowed local residents to contribute some of their ideas for the betterment of their town. Close to 600 residents participated in a survey. The project will proceed next year, allowing residents to offer public comment on the crafting of the plan. 10) Future of the Ballard School. During the year, citizens had a chance to share their views on the future use of the Ballard School, which was turned over by the School Committee to the Town. Citizens responding to a study committee survey say they prefer to see the Ballard School be used as a preschool or day center. The Ballard School Study Committee filed its report with the Town – offering options on what to do with the old schoolhouse and how to use it in the future. The process of how the town disposes of the Ballard School property could create a model to help guide town officials and residents consider the disposal of other town schools that will be coming off-line in the near future.
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