Page 14 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JAnUAry 3, 2025 ASKS | FROM PAGE 13 to mind include some that are near and dear to my heart like the improvements to the American Legion building and safety improvements in Cliftondale Square, specifically additional pedestrian crossing lights and traffic cameras. The wildfires at Breakheart was an important story, and I want to recognize our firefighters for working these fires under very difficult conditions. One story I am happy to bring up is the improved safety on and around the rail trail. I’ve heard significantly fewer reports of kids on bicycles harassing people. I have no doubt that this is a result of regular rail trail patrols of our police on the trail. Great work by our Police! Another important story this year is that the flooding in the Lynn Fells Parkway area has been addressed. Regarding resolutions, I’d like to see more of us resolve to be more civil toward one another, regardless of political differences, whether at the local, state, or national level. Too many of us have let elections and politics affect relationships; life is too short for that. We get the opportunity to elect our leaders and representatives every year. I wish more of us would take advantage of that opportunity, and be a bit nicer to each other along the way. I want to wish everyone health, peace and tolerance in 2025. Selectman Mike Serino I believe the 2024 top story EDUCATOR REFLECTS | FROM PAGE 4 needs of our students and our collaboration with the community of Saugus. Our administration will continue to work in collaboration with the School Committee, town manager, police and fire departments, town meeting members, Selectmen, finance committee, Saugus Youth and Recreation, Saugus Historical Commission, Saugus Alumni Association, SBEC, facilities department, the DPW, and all of the in-town groups and organizations to continmore competitive in learning, to get our students the services they need, and to get the community of Saugus working together to achieve the goals we set. I want to wish everyone in Saugus a very happy and prosperous new year. School Committee MemSaugus School Committee members: Left to right: Ryan Fisher, Chair Vincent Serino, Stephanie Mastrocola, John Hatch and Thomas Whittredge. (Saugus Advocate file photo) in Saugus is the smooth operation of Town government. Saugus is in good shape financially and our Town form of government is stable. We have dedicated employees and a great bunch of residents who love to volunteer on various boards, committees and sports programs, along with the many non-profit organizations throughout our community. Saugus has modern schools for our kids and we continue to build new parks, playgrounds, roadways and sidewalks. My goal for 2025 is to continue the progress that has made our community a much better place to live in for all residents. In order to continue this progress, I do intend to run for re-election to the Board of Selectmen in November 2025. I wish all of you a very Happy and healthy New Year. God ue with our One Town – One Team philosophy. I am sure I left some group, person or organization off the list; if I did it was only because there are so many groups that work with our schools to support our students. If there is one resolution that I would say we have for our schools, it would be to continue to collaborate with all stakeholders, parents, guardians, caregivers, community members, teachers, staff and students to make Saugus Someplace Special. I wish everyone a Happy New Year and I look forward to many successes in 2025 and beyond. Bless, Mike Serino School Committee Chair Vincent Serino 1. What do you consider the top story in Saugus during 2024? Feel free to elaborate. There were many stories in 2024, but I don’t believe one stood out. The election of a new president for our country is a big story that affects everyone throughout the country. I think it will affect all communities including Saugus. As far as local stories, there were too many to narrow down to just one. 2. If you were able to make one New Year’s Resolution for the Town of Saugus – a goal to make the community better – what would that be? My New Year’s Resolution for the Town of Saugus would center on the schools. I would resolve to make the schools HISTORY | FROM PAGE 5 the citizens of Saugus felt that there was now a need to form a more professional commission, such as a police force. According to a newspaper article of that time, several “solid” citizens of Saugus discovered Mr. Charles O. Thompson, of Cliftondale, and felt that he was just the man needed to organize an efficient police department. Mr. Thompson had been serving as a special, temporary assistant police officer for the past four years – helping the Clark brothers maintain the peace. Charles O. Thompson was born under the shadow of the ber Ryan Fisher You’ve asked me this question every year, and I’ve gone to pandemics and upheavals and acrimonious elections or other events. Happily, this year, there isn’t an obvious answer to point to. We’re investing in our schools and in our town. We’re listening and adjusting. Nothing’s off the table. We’re committed. Stability isn’t a flashy answer, but I’ll take it. Next year, my resolution is to put in a lot of hard work. We have a challenging budget season starting, and many of our contracts are up for negotiation. It’s going to be a really packed year on the school committee! School Committee Member Stephanie Mastrocola I would have to go with the closing of the Continental. This restaurant has been a place where people have shared many memories. We often times take for granted that something will always be there. Many people were heartbroken when hearing that they were closing. That being said, I hope the staff and everyone who made up the Continental know they played a wonderBunker Hill Monument, on Pleasant Street, in Charlestown, Mass., on September 12, 1854. After his schooling, he moved to Lynn to work in a shoe factory. Shortly thereafter, he met and married the former Etta I. Rich and then purchased a home in Cliftondale, where the town fathers found him. On April 17, 1895, after serving for four years as a special officer and at 41 years of age, he was sworn in as Police Chief and began his official duties at once. The Selectmen who appointed him were J. D. Forestall, Charles F. Clark and Charles Florence. Chief Thompson was given two assistants – Francis Clark, who was assigned to the Sauful role in people’s memories. The friendships that were made there I’m sure are everlasting. Good Luck and most of all Thank You! My New Year’s Resolution for the Town of Saugus would be a Big Community event. We have a lot of new families moving in and want a sense of belonging. Holding a big corn-hole tournament to raise money for a charity that is dear to a Saugus child’s heart. It not only is fun but teaches kids to work on something for others. It would give us all something to look forward to on a yearly basis. The wheels are turning already! Let’s put our mind to it and do it. Happy New Year to All and Stay Safe School Committee Member Thomas Whittredge To be honest, after a tumultuous 2023, it’s been a rather lackluster 2024. The top story to me is the Town’s investment in multiple buildings around Town. The Town Hall, Library, public safety, Roby, 25 Main, American Legion, Senior Center and DPW buildings have all benefited with significant improvements. We also have a brand new pickle ball/Hockey complex at Anna Parker. With more projects on the horizon, I’d say the taxpayers are getting their money’s worth. My resolution for the Town would be for people to stop getting their misinformation from the town tabloid pages on Facebook. Hope everyone has a healthy and prosperous NewYear! gus Center area, and Frank W. Joy, who performed police duty in East Saugus – while the Chief was to care for the Cliftondale district. This coalition prevailed for two years until Mr. Walter Pratt was added to the force and Chief Thompson was able to cease the travel of a route. He now became the actual and recognized head of the Saugus Police Department, making his headquarters in Saugus Town Hall. At that time, a little drawer in somebody’s desk sufficed for the storing of all police records. In the early days of his career, as head of the police department, Chief Thompson was also HISTORY | SEE PAGE 19
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