Page 14 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2023 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good Morning, Saugus! A few town offi cials I spoke with last week said they heard that allegations related to “misappropriation of funds” is the reason why Superintendent Erin McMahon had been placed on paid administrative leave. But they were not members of the School Committee — including the chair, Vincent Serino, who refused to even confi rm that she was on paid leave until the fi ve returned from an Executive Session at last Thursday (Jan. 19) night’s School Committee meeting. While it appears that the School Committee members met in Executive Session to discuss confi - dential matters pertinent to the decision to relieve the superintendent of her duties indefi nitely while an investigation is going on, there wasn’t any reference to the situation on the meeting agenda. The agenda listed the two items being discussed in the Executive Session as “a. Contract negotiations” and “b. To discuss strategy with respect to pending litigation.” These items obviously don’t apply to the superintendent. All Serino’s statement did was confi rm the rampant rumors that the superintendent is indeed on paid leave while the committee awaits the results of a so-called investigation. Serino didn’t say who was investigating the superintendent or how a decision was reached to put McMahon on leave. Was it the full committee’s call or a decision that the chair made on his own? And if allegations about the superintendent was the reason for the Executive Session, there was no reference to that, the way the agenda was worded. For her part, the superintendent said she wasn’t aware of the specifi c nature of the allegations. —Contest— CONTEST SKETCH OF THE WEEK Yet, she made a comment that appeared related to questions being raised about the fi scal management of Saugus Public Schools: “The district’s fi nancial records are audited every year by independent CPAs who have never reported to me that the school department should change or adjust any practices,” the superintendent said. “While I have not yet been provided with any specific allegations made against me, any allegations of wrongdoing on my part are false,” she added, naming two attorneys who are handling her case. The superintendent also mentioned that she “voluntarily stepped back” from her duties on Jan. 17, pending the completion of the investigation. Stay tuned. “Saugus Over Coffee” for Precinct 1 residents The public education project called “Saugus Over Coff ee” — co-sponsored by The Saugus Advocate and the Saugus Public Library—gets underway on Monday (Jan. 30) at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the library. And this will be a special night for civic-minded Precinct 1 residents who want to express their views on major challenges or issues facing their neighborhoods. First, they will get to hear their Town Meeting members talk about their chief neighborhood concerns during the forum. Anyone who is considering running for a Town Meeting seat will also be allowed to share their views. Then residents will have an opportunity to express themselves. We will try to keep a running tally of all the concerns mentioned during the forum to determine how prevalent those concerns are. The forum will be videotaped by SaugusTV for public viewing at a later date. The forum is open to any town residents. But only Precinct 1 residents will be allowed to speak. And if any of the residents feel GUESS WHO GOT SKETCHED! If you know the right answer, you might win the contest. In this week’s edition, we continue our weekly feature where a local artist sketches people, places and things in Saugus. Got an idea who’s being sketched this week? If you do, please email me at mvoge@ comcast.net or leave a phone message at 978-683-7773. Anyone who identifi es the Saugonian sketched in this week’s paper between now and Tuesday at Noon qualifi es to have their name put in a green Boston Red Sox hat with a chance to be selected as the winner of a $10 gift certifi cate, compliments of Hammersmith Family Restaurant at 330 Central St. in Saugus. But you have to enter to win! Look for the winner and identifi cation in next week’s “The Sounds of Saugus.” Please leave your mailing address in case you are a winner. (Courtesy illustration to The Saugus Advocate by a Saugonian who goes by the name of “The Sketch Artist”) uncomfortable about having their comments videotaped, they can submit their concerns in writing at the forum — or email them to me at mvoge@comcast.net. Coff ee, tea and refreshments will be served at 6:10 during an informal social gathering where Precinct 1 residents will get an opportunity to meet their Town Meeting members and Town Meeting members will get to meet people they represent. Residents who are unable to get down to the library Monday night to watch the forum will have an opportunity to view it on SaugusTV. Residents can check the programming guide on the station’s website (www.saugustv. org) for dates and times. A video of the forum will also be available for viewing on the station’s vimeo page within a day or two after the event (www.vimeo.com/saugustelevision). A similar Monday night forum will be held monthly, spotlighting each of the other precincts now through October. Precinct 2 residents will have a chance to express their views at a forum scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13. It’s been my observation in the past town election years that folks don’t get to learn much about all of the candidates running for the 50 seats on the Annual Town Meeting — Saugus’s very own Legislature. Now, they will. And the candidates running for selectmen of School Committee will get to hear the top neighborhood concerns of Saugus residents. For those folks who attend, please keep in mind that this is not a debate. It is an opportunity for citizens who live in Precinct 1 to share their concerns with Town Meeting members and other town offi cials. It’s also a chance for people who participate to get to know their precinct better and to learn what makes it unique and special compared to other precincts throughout the town. Here is the full schedule: Precinct 1 — Jan. 30 Precinct 2 — Feb. 13 Precinct 3 — March 13. Precinct 4 — April 17 Precinct 5 — May 8 Precinct 6 — June 12 Precinct 7 — July 10 Precinct 8 — August 14 Precinct 9 — Sept. 11 Precinct 10 — Oct. 23 Please check with The Saugus Advocate or library for any changes in dates. Comedy at the Kowloon The Kowloon Restaurant has set its January comedy lineup with talent featuring Tony V. Here’s the lineup: Tony V today (Friday, January 27). Tickets are $20 and showtime is 8 p.m. at the Kowloon Restaurant, Route 1 North in Saugus. For tickets, call the Kowloon Restaurant at 781233-0077. Bingo is back! The Kowloon Restaurant announces Bingo every Wednesday, 7 to 9 p.m., in the Hong Kong Lounge. Prizes will be given away each week with a grand prize set at the fi nale in March. A full Chinese gourmet spread is available during Bingo — featuring pupu platters, egg rolls, crab Rangoons, Saugus Wings, General Gau’s chicken, lobster sauce, fried scallops, lo mein, moo shi pork, salt and pepper calamari and sushi — along with a full bar menu, including the signature mai tais and scorpion bowls. Celebrating the Saugus High band The Saugus Historical Society is planning its spring season of programs and a new exhibit which will open in March. The exhibit will feature Saugus High School band memorabilia from several time periods and some color day posters recently donated to the society. Anyone who was a band member at any time, or who had an ancestor who was a band member, is invited to share some of their memories. Please call Saugus Historical Society President Laura Eisener at 781-231-5988 to share your story. “We are looking for some anecdotes and stories from people involved in Saugus High School Band at any time,” Laura says. “The Historical Society is putting together a display of band uniforms, parents’ jackets, photos etc. which will be ready by the fi rst meeting in the Spring,” she said. Laura can be reached at 781231-5988. Craft Fair and Flea Market The Knights of Columbus Council 1829 will host an indoor craft fair and fl ea market on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 57 Appleton St., Saugus. A snow date has been set for Feb. 25. Vendors/ Table cost: $25. There will be refreshments, a cash bar and raffl es. To reserve a table or obtain more information, please call Paul Giannetta at 978-239-1392. Food Pantry The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today (Friday, January 27) from 9:30-11 a.m. “Shout Outs” to Senior Center volunteers We didn’t receive any reader recommendations this week to recognize people doing good things for the betterment of Saugus. So, I will use editorial discretion by calling for a mega “Shout Out” for the crew of volunteers that keep things working at the Senior Center. Want to “Shout Out” a fellow Saugonian? This is an opportunity for our paper’s readers to single out — in a brief mention — remarkable acts or achievements by Saugus residents or an act of kindness or a nice gesture. Just send an email (mvoge@comcast.net) with a mention in the subject line of “An Extra Shout Out.” No more than a paragraph; anything lon
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