SAUGUS Vol. 23, No. 2 -FREE- www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday Open Meeting Law Violation School Committee held an improper executive session to discuss privatizing school custodians 781-233-4446 Friday, January 10, 2020 2019: Year in Pictures By Mark E. Vogler or the third time in two years, the state Attorney General’s Division of Open Government has cited the Saugus School Committee for violating the Open Meeting Law. “Following our review, we fi nd that the Committee violated the Open Meeting Law by holding an executive session on May 8 (2019) without a proper purpose and failing to follow proper procedures for convening in executive session,” Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Carnes Flynn wrote in a nine-page determination issued Dec. 31, 2019. “Because the Committee convened in executive session without a proper purpose and without following proper convening procedure, we order the Committee, within 30 days of this letter, to publicly release the May 8 executive session minutes. The Committee may not redact or withhold any portion of the minutes.” F ANOTHER VIOLATION: A recent determination by the state Attorney General’s Offi ce of Open Government cited the former School Committee for holding an improper executive session last May 8. (Saugus Advocate fi le photo by Mark E. Vogler) “In addition, we order all members of the Committee to review the Attorney General’s Open Meeting Law training video concerning executive sessions, available online at https://www.mass. gov/service-details/open-meeting-lawtraining-videos, and to certify to our offi ce in writing that they have done so. We order immediate and future compliance with the Open Meeting Law and caution that future similar violations may result in a fi nding of an intentional violation, including the imposition of a monetary fi ne. See G.L. c. 30A, § 23(c)(4).” The School Committee intended to meet in an Executive Session on May 8 “for the purpose of Collective Bargaining with the Custodians and The Superintendent's Contract,” according to the agenda notice posted for the meeting. Instead, a discussion involving the committee and Superintendent Dr. David DeRuosi, Jr. focused on how the School Department could save money by privatizing custodial services – a subject that should have been discussed publicly and not behind closed doors – which violated the Open Meeting Law. However, the latest Open Meeting Law violation by the School Committee didn’t aff ect the committee’s decision to replace 21 school custodians with a private maintenance company. None of the current members were on the School Committee when the violations occurred. The three incumbent School Committee members who were in the majority of the split 3-2 SESSION | SEE PAGE 4 ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS...1st AD Perfectly maintained 7 room, 3 bedroom, 2 ½ bath Center Entrance Colonial boasting two story foyer, formal dining room with custom ceiling, living room with French door leading to oversized kitchen with double oven, built-in desk, dining area with slider to and roughed-in bath, central air, central vacuum, two car cul-de-sac. View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. The Saugus Advocate is refl ecting back on the past year with top photos that made the front page. Shown above is our photo for MAY: A MEMORIAL DAY SALUTE: Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services Secretary Francisco A. Ureña stands under a giant American fl ag that is suspended by two cranes (from Junkster Bags, Inc. of Saugus) across Central Street in front of Saugus Town Hall following the town’s Annual Memorial Day Parade. Secretary Ureña was the guest speaker. See pages 6 & 7 for photo highlights. (Saugus Advocate Photo by Mark E. Vogler) ~ THE ADVOCATE ASKS ~ Retired Saugus Guidance Counselor Harry Surabian recalls his second career as a musician Editor’s Note: For this week, we sat down with Harry Surabian, who retired from the Saugus Public Schools in 1990 as a guidance counselor, but continued to work for many years in his second job as a musician. Surabian, who turns 93 next Friday (Jan. 17), was born in Saugus and is a 1945 graduate of Saugus High School. His stint as a clarinet player in the Saugus High School marching band helped pave the way for an assignment with the U.S. Army band after he was drafted near the end of World War II. After the service, he set out to become an educator. He received his bachelor’s degree in Music Education ASKS | SEE PAGE 8 ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE "Over 40 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2019 Regular Unleaded $2.439 Mid Unleaded $2.839 Super $2.899 Diesel Fuel $2.899 KERO $4.759 Diesel $2.639 DEF Available Happy New Year! HEATING OIL 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN A A DA Prices subject to change Winter Diesel Available FLEET
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