SAUGUS DVVD Vol. 25, No. 5 -FREEV CATE CT AT www.advocatenews.net A Snowy, Fun Sunday Published Every Friday ublished 781-233-4446 Friday, February 4, 2022 Saugus Fire Department promotions Lt. William Cross appointed Captain; Firefi ghter Donald Blandini named lieutenant By Mark E. Vogler T he Saugus Fire Department had planned a simple ON TOP OF SNOW MOUNTAIN: Left to right: Brielle, Braylon and Bentley Conte, siblings and students of Saugus Public Schools, enjoyed the view last Sunday (Jan. 30) from the peak of a 20-foot mountain of snow. They were among dozens of children who enjoyed sledding and snow tubing on the hill outside of the Veterans Early Learning Center on the day after last Saturday’s blizzard. See inside for more photos. (Saugus Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) Campaign Finance Two selectmen spent more than $5,000 apiece to get reelected last fall By Mark E. Vogler T wo incumbent selectmen spent more than $5,000 to get reelected last fall.Veteran Selectman Debra C. Panetta spent $5,636 to lead the fi eld of 10 candidates vying for the fi ve board seats in the Nov. 2 election. The 2,121 votes she received was second-best among the candidates, earning her the vice-chair seat for the two-year term. Selectman Jeffrey V. Cicolini, who fi nished third in the selectmen’s race with 1,760 votes, spent $5,243 on his race – including $1,143 during the fi nal week of the campaign. swearing-in ceremony at the Central Station sometime today for the promotions of two of its veteran members: • Lt. William E. Cross III, who is in his 28th year, has been appointed captain, fi lling the vacancy left by last month’s retirement of Capt. James Hughes. • Firefi ghter Donald “D.J.” Blandini, who is in his 10th year with the department, becomes a lieutenant, fi lling the vacancy left by Cross’ promotion. “These are two veteran members of the department that I am extremely proud of,” Saugus Fire Chief Michael C. Newbury Overall, the 10 selectman candidates spent an aggregate of $18,466 on last year’s election in their respective campaigns, according to a review of the Campaign Finance Reports documents posted on the Town of Saugus website (https://www.saugus-ma. gov/town-clerk/pages/campaign-fi nance-reports). Spending may have had some infl uence on the election. The top three spenders fi nished among the top three FINANCE | SEE PAGE 13 AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH began on Tuesday (Feb. 1), the Salem Maritime National Historic Site posted its online publication of “African Americans in Essex County, Massachusetts: An Annotated Guide.” The guide follows a two-year project – funded by the National Park Service and administered by the Organization of American Historians – to identify resources on Black history in Essex County archives. See inside for a story on what the guide says about Saugus. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE Regular Unleaded $3.279 Mid Unleaded $3.349 Super $3.469 Diesel Fuel $3.759 "43 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2021 KERO $4.99 DEF $3.49 9 Diesel $3.499 9 HEATING OIL 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available by Pump! Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN AVE • SAUGUS • OPEN 7 DAYS said in an interview this week. “You just don’t end up being a lieutenant and captain. It’s an individual challenge. And for both men, it has taken a huge commitment, a lot of training and ongoing education. And for their families, it’s also a big sacrifi ce. So, I’m proud of their families, too,” Newbury said. “Bill is a Saugus guy and a family man and has had a caDEPARTMENT | SEE PAGE 4 Saugus Celebrates Black History Month Prices subject to change Ask about our Conditioner! FLEET
2 Publizr Home