Page 20 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2023 STAYING THE COURSE | FROM PAGE 9 quickly to initiate the purchase of both properties, preparing Articles for Town Meeting to approve, and then secured a very signifi cant grant to demo the buildings and create parking. “I’ve campaigned on trying to make Saugus government hear, and act on, the wishes of residents. Through both the Cliftondale Revitalization Committee survey, and public forums, residents have identifi ed parking as a major problem in Cliftondale. The Manager’s actions here demonstrate responsiveness to the wishes of the residents, and I give him high marks for it. “Specifi c areas for improvement, in my opinion, include the lack of progress on a westside fi re station, economic development particularly in Cliftondale and on Route 1. Another area for improvement is communication. For example, the town web site is cluttered with outdated information, the search function is almost useless, and information is way too hard to fi nd. Beyond the web site, where information is ‘pulled’ by residents, I want to see timely communication where information is ‘pushed’ to residents’ smartphones, whether by social media platforms, a town-provided application, or Your Hometown News Delivered! EVERETT ADVOCATE MALDEN ADVOCATE REVERE ADVOCATE SAUGUS ADVOCATE One year subscription to The Advocate of your choice: $150 per paper in-town per year or $200 per paper out-of-town per year. Name_________________________________________ Address_______________________________________ City_______________ State_______ Zip ____________ CC# _______________________________ Exp. _____ Sec. code____ Advocate (City):___________________ Clip & Mail Coupon with Credit Card, Check or Money Order to: Advocate Newspapers Inc. PO Box 490407, Everett, MA 02149 a free subscription service. Examples of this type of communication include timely updates on road closures, updates from police and fi re to avoid certain areas during an emergency, updates from the town clerk about election information, polling places/hours, etc. “Regarding the contract extension, in Saugus, the most important responsibility of the Board of Selectmen is the hiring/extending/removal of the Town Manager, whose performance has a significant impact on the residents’ quality of life. Given this impact, I’d like to share the rationale for my vote to extend the Manager’s contract. “Scott Crabtree has proven the ability to complete capital projects eff ectively, and with infl ation and rising interest rates, delays have a signifi cant impact on all projects, so the sooner projects get started, the cheaper they will be for our taxpayers. I realize that some people may have expected me to vote against an extension. I thought about it, considering the pros and cons, and to me, the correct decision was clear that keeping the current administration in place is the best available option for completing these critical projects over the next few years. “I want to congratulate the Manager on this extension, and I look forward to working with him on the projects listed above and others.” Selectman Michael Serino “In regards to the Town Manager’s Evaluation. The Board of Selectmen recently held an open meeting to evaluate the manager, as required in his contract. The entire board did feel that the manager could improve on his communication with the residents of our community. called lady’s-fi nger? 10. In January 2009 what painter of “Christina’s World” died? 11. On Jan. 30, 1882, 1. On Jan. 27, 2010, Apple announced what product? 2. What city has been nicknamed the Mile High City? 3. How does a shell stay connected to a snail’s body? 4. On Jan. 28, 1782, Congress provided funding and a law for what national symbol that contains the name of an animal? 5. What comic acted as Reverend Leroy and Geraldine Jones? 6. In April 2023 what European capital will ask voters whether to support rental electric scooters? 7. What two U.S. presidents are buried in Arlington National Cemetery? 8. what president was born on an estate that his family had owned for 100 years? 12. Who was America named after? 13. What was the original theme song of “Happy Days”? 14. On Jan. 29, 1936, what Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., elected its fi rst fi ve players? 9. What vegetable often used in making gumbo is also baseball player was born – the fi rst Black player in the 20th century American major leagues? 15. The Bundt cake pan was invented in Minnesota for a Jewish women’s society in “Overall, I feel that the Town Manager is doing a good job. Back in 2012 when the former manager left, the town was in fi nancial ruin. The Hamilton St. Fire Station was only opened part-time, our library was decertified, we had No money in our free cash and stabilization fund reserve accounts. Moreover, our town employees had no pay raises in nine (9) years. A property tax debt exclusion and trash fee was repeatedly being mentioned. Consequently, Saugus was being considered for take-over by the State. “Myself, as chairman of the Board of Selectmen at that time, Scott Crabtree, our newly appointed Town Manager, our Town Treasurer/Collector and our outside fi nancial advisors traveled to the Statehouse to meet with the State Treasurer, State Auditor and offi cials from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. We did secure Saugus being allowed to use the States bond rate in order to borrow money. The Department of Revenue did require Saugus to complete several fi nancial goals. The Board of Selectmen, at that time, along with the Town Manager implemented several fi nancial management policies which have continued to this day. “Currently, the Hamilton St. fi re station is back operating at full time, our Library’s certifi cation has been restored and our dedicated town employees have been receiving well deserved pay raises. New schools and parks have been built. Saugus has 10 million in our stabilization account and 8 million in free cash and our bond rating is AA+, one step away from AAA. Our residents are living in a full-service community. “In regards to the Town Manager’s Contract. The Board of Selectmen did vote (5-0) to exwhat year: 1919, 1936 or 1950? 16. The fi rst known use of toilet paper is in the sixth century in what country: China, England or Italy? 17. On Feb. 1, 1898, the On Jan. 31, 1919, what Traveler Insurance Co. issued the fi rst automobile insurance coverage – protecting a Buffalo resident against suits by owners of what? 18. What people were the fi rst to cultivate cacao and make it into a beverage? 19. In what comic strip would you fi nd Hobbes, Dad and Mom? 20. On Feb. 2, 1912, what NYC train station opened? tend the Town Manager’s contract for two (2) years, from August 2025 to August 2027. I do believe our town is on the right track under the current administration. However, there is a movement to change our town to a city. A city form of government could include replacing our fi fty (50) elected Town Meeting Members, our fi ve (5) elected Board of Selectmen and our nine (9) member appointed Finance Committee with an elected seven (7) to eleven (11) member City Council. Consequently, the earliest the voters of our community would be able to decide on any charter proposal, as a ballot initiative, would be in November of 2025. “According to Michael Ward, director of the Collins Center at UMass Boston, ‘transitioning from a town to a city is a huge change and should have a very long transition provision written in any charter proposal. A transition period could take anywhere up to 18 months.’ The State Legislature and the Governor would have to approve the change. Furthermore, the administration would need time to transition and candidates would need time to campaign for the new seats. It could be well into the Spring of 2027 before a special election is held. Moreover, the town’s regularly held two (2) year election cycle would take place in November of 2027. Until a charter proposal is produced for the November 2025 town election, many uncertainties currently exist. I believe that the Town Manager has done a good job. Moreover, I believe that it is very important that we maintain stability in Town government. Therefore, I feel that a two (2) year contract extension is warranted. ANSWERS 1. iPad 2. Denver, Colo. 3. By tissue 4. The Great Seal 5. Flip Wilson 6. Paris 7. William Howard Taft and John F. Kennedy 8. Baseball 9. Okra 10. Andrew Wyeth 11. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Hyde Park, N.Y.) 12. Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci 13. “Rock Around the Clock” 14. Jackie Robinson 15. 1950 16. China 17. Horses 18. Mesoamericans in Central America 19. “Calvin and Hobbes” 20. Grand Central Terminal
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