Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JAnUAry 20, 2023 HUGE WIN | FROM PAGE 1 District,” he said. And smile they did (See inside for “The Advocate Asks”) as the town manager briefed them on a major development in the nearly two years since the Annual Town Meeting created a special committee to study the revitalization of Cliftondale. “Cliftondale was identified as a top economical development opportunity and a priority in Saugus and a priority for the public investment in our 2022 Master Plan Update that we did,” Crabtree said. “I’m thrilled that we were able to deliver the necessary funds to change this fact. Funding is a huge win for the town of Saugus. I’m really excited to see the proposal come to fruition,” he said. Crabtree told selectmen he hoped to “look at trying to make some changes down there (in Cliftondale)” to benefit the community without doing it at taxpayers’ expense. The Town of Saugus was among 160 communities that were able to get state projects federally-funded with the Congressionally Directed Funding (CDF) request submitted and championed by the offices of U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). $3.95 GALLON We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover Price Subject to Change without notice 100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602 Funding a town priority The award was included in the bipartisan omnibus federal spending bill signed recently into law by President Joseph R. Biden, Crabtree noted in a press statement his office issued Wednesday announcing the grant. “Cliftondale was identified as a top economic development opportunity in Saugus, and a priority area for public investment in our 2022 Master Plan update,” Crabtree said. “Growing up in Cliftondale it is near and dear to my heart to see the revitalization of this important business district. I’m thrilled that we were able to deliver the funds necessary to change this fact. “The funding will allow the town to increase the area’s patronage through increased access to available and safe parking options. The funding is a huge win for the Town of Saugus, and I’m excited to see the proposal come to fruition,” the town manager. Word of the town being awarded the $2.3-million grant won high praise from Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Joe Vecchione, who has led the charge for revitalization of Cliftondale since his election to the Annual Town Meeting. Vecchione, who authored the article passed by the Annual Town Meeting two years ago which created a special Cliftondale Revitalization Committee, called the grant award “obviously a very sigificant step forward in revitalizing the square.” “I think it’s great continued progress for the efforts that were put forth for the revitalization plan,”Vecchione said. “There is still plenty of work left to do. But it goes to show if you put the work in – as we have – and a couple of years of pressuring. The people of the town and the process of the town toward trying to revitalize the square, has brought us a step closer toward that process,” he said. Last March, Crabtree, also with the assistance of congressional staff from the offices of Markey and Warren, As the sun sets on the rotary of Cliftondale Square, Saugus town officials look ahead to a bright future with this week’s news of a $2.3-million federal grant awarded to the town for the revitalization of the once-vibrant business which has been in decline for more than three decades (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) Looking from the rotary westward down Lincoln Avenue, Saugus officials see plenty of opportunity for improving Cliftondale Square after receiving a $2.3-million federal grant to revitalize the business district. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) secured an award for $1-million for public safety communication enhancements through a similar CDS federal funding grant. This makes $3,3-million in total (CDS) federal funding secured by Crabtree in less than a year. HUGE WIN | SEE PAGE 5 10% Off Senior Discount! SNOW BLOWER SALES, SERVICE & REPAIRS Pickup/Delivery Available 1039 BROADWAY, REVERE WWW.BIKERSOUTFITTER.COM
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