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Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JAnUAry 10, 2025 An unsafe situation Selectman Panetta fears debris from vacant Karla’s Shoes building could create road safety hazards for route 1 traffic By Mark E. Vogler O nce again, Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta is calling for the town to do something about the dilapidated red building on Route 1 near the Main Street exit ramps before something tragic happens. “What if somebody – a homeless person or somebody … a child, who knows – went in there and something fell down and killed them?” Panetta asked during the public comment period of Monday’s Board of Health meeting. “There are so many safety concerns with that property, it scares me,” she said. It was the latest of many pleas she’s made for officials to address safety concerns about the former Karla’s Shoes building located at 1181 Broadway (Route 1 South). “My biggest fear, honestly – is something is going to fly off – maybe the new ‘PRADA’ sign they put on there to make fun of our town, which is embarrassing. As a Saugonian, I feel that way,” Panetta said. Prada is a world-renowned Italian luxury fashion house that specializes in shoes, other leather goods and fashion accessories. “What if something blows SHELTER | FROM PAGE 7 to acquire a high-capacity firearm? How was a criminal enterprise being run out of a family shelter as he allegedly obtained fentanyl and cocaine that he was allegedly selling from the shelter’s motel room?” The House Republican Caucus described the situation as “outrageous and totally unacceptable,” noting that it “poses a serious public safety threat for law-abiding Massachusetts residents and the communities hosting these migrant shelters.” “Sadly, despite background checks, this is not an isolated incident, as there have been other reported instances of down and goes in the middle of Route 1? How many accidents? What do we have to do to get that building taken down?” Panetta asked Board of Health members. The building, situated next to the Auto Excellence Group property, is considered a public safety threat. The Fire Department had red “X’s” attached to it to warn people not to trespass into the building. Isabelle Smith, of Malden, owns the .188-acre property, which is valued at $671,500 – including $122,100 for the building. Panetta said a broker had reached out to her and said they were going to sell the property for $900,000 and asked if the town would be interested. “I don’t know what the town would do with it. Our only concern is the health and safety of not just Saugus residents, but of people driving up and down on Route 1,” Panetta said. Public Health Director John R. Fralick III said the existing situation at the Karla’s Shoes is an issue that has frustrated town officials in recent years because the owner has been reluctant to maintain the property or have it torn down. “As far as action we can take, serious crimes committed by individuals residing in these shelters, including one case involving a 26-year-old Haitian national who was taken into custody by ICE as an unlawfully present migrant after being charged with the aggravated rape of a child in a migrant shelter in Rockland,” the caucus wrote. In its letter, the caucus insisted the state “must do a better job of providing close and continuous oversight of these facilities to ensure the safety of those residing in state-run shelters as well as surrounding communities,” adding that “There are simply no excuses for tolerating this type of criminal behavior, especially when it occurs within a state-run proNOT EXACTLY A FASHION STATEMENT: Somebody put a “PRADA, SAUGUS” sign on the front of the old Karla’s Shoes building located at 1181 Broadway, making fun of the dilapidated and unsafe eyesore that is visible to traffic that passes through Saugus on Route 1 South. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) there is a very long, arduous road of receivership that we can take,” Fralick told Panetta. “That’s something we’re looking into with a number of properties,” he said. Fralick said town officials could compile a list of violations and provide them to potential receivers who could gram publicly funded by taxpayer dollars.” “Our House Republican Caucus demands answers on how this was allowed to happen and what steps your Administration is taking to rectify this situation and to ensure the safety and protection of Massachusetts residents,” the caucus wrote to Governor Healey. “We request that you address this failure to carry out the law immediately, not only to the state legislature but to every hard-working taxpayer of the Commonwealth who is paying for this program. We look forward to your response on where the system failed, why it failed, and what your Administration is doing to ensure that this does not happen again.” go to Land Court and argue “There are violations on site that are imminent threats to health and safety.” Fralick told Panetta that in future talks with Inspectional Services staff, “I’ll turn around and say, ‘Let’s make a move with Karla Shoes.’” Board of Health Chair Maria Tamagna suggested that there be a problem property committee that would have Health Department and Inspectional Services staff discuss common concerns related to a list of properties and use it as a way to enforce local regulations and issue fines to the property owners. ~ Letter-to-the-Editor ~ Celebrate Diversity at the Saugus Cultural Festival! To Saugus residents: Join us for a vibrant celebration of culture, community, and creativity at the Saugus Cultural Festival on Sunday, February 23rd at the Saugus Middle High School! This exciting event will feature live performances, delicious food from local vendors, and family-friendly activities for all ages. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore different cultures and connect with the community. Mark your calendars and come celebrate the richness of our community! Saugus Cultural Council will be hosting public meetings about the festival in January. For more information to attend or learn how to support the festival, then please email saugusculturalcouncil@gmail.com Tori Darnell, Saugus Cultural Council - Co-Chair 339.440.1017

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