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SAUGUS Vol. 24, No. 5 -FREEThe Advocate–A household word in Saugus! AOCODDV C TECAT www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday 781-233-4446 Friday, February 5, 2021 “Wait and listen before A Saugus Scramble drawing conclusions” Saugus Board of Selectmen Chair Cogliano calls letter by Revere City Council to Wheelabrator subcommittee “premature” By Mark E. Vogler T en of 11 members of the Revere City Council signed a recent letter to the Wheelabrator Subcommittee calling for Wheelabrator to halt any further expansion of its ash landfi ll on Route 107. But Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano criticized the City Council for taking its stand and then off ered praise for the one member who did not sign the letter – City Council President Anthony Zambuto. “The Revere City Council should wait and listen before drawing conclusions,” said Cogliano, who co-chairs the special Board of Health panel with Board of Health Chair William Heff ernan. “I applaud Council President Anthony Zambuto for not signing the letter as it is premature. Wheelabrator has no plans to close the Saugus facility, and anyone that has false hopes that they will pack up and leave, is naive,” he said. “There is also no guarantee that the state will stop them WHEELABRATOR | SEE PAGE 2 “Why not me?!” ROLLER STINK: Roller World roller skating rink owner Jerry Breen, who is shown standing in his empty rink, asks, “Why not me?” to reopen his business following the third phase of Gov. Charlie Baker’s reopening plans. Breen, who has been closed since last spring, is frustrated that larger venues, such as the Hockeytown hockey rink just up the street on Rte. 1 in Saugus, have been allowed to open months ago. Breen has repeatedly been ignored by local State Rep. Donald Wong and has spoken to Saugus town offi cials who have inspected his facility and, as recently as Tuesday, applauded his eff orts for COVID-19 precautions from touchless sinks and soap dispensers to seating distancing. The governor has moved into Phase Three to allow indoor and outdoor sports facilities, arcades, fi tness centers and health clubs to open to 40% capacity as of Thursday, but for some strange reason, roller rinks have not been allowed to reopen. Despite vaccinations and the widespread declining numbers of COVID-19 diagnoses, Roller World remains closed. What’s this governor and state rep have against roller rinks? (Advocate photo) Saugus High School forward/captain Cat Schena #24 (bottom center) dives for a loose ball during last Friday’s game against the Beverly Panthers. The Panthers beat Saugus, 27-19, before a socially distanced and masked crowd watching the Senior Night game at the Saugus Middle-High School gymnasium. See more photos and story inside. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Maureen McLaughlin) “It’s a logistical thing … just a nightmare” Saugus health offi cials wrestle with COVID-19 communications issues By Mark E. Vogler S augus residents seeking information about COVID-19 – many of them concerned about when the vaccine is going to be available to them – have recently fl ooded Health Director John Fralick’s offi ce telephone with too many phone calls to handle. Fralick had received so many unanswered calls on his offi ce telephone line (781-231-4120) that people trying to reach him on Monday and Tuesday couldn’t leave their messages. The line was finally cleared on Wednesday when The Saugus Advocate called, but Fralick wasn’t available and never returned the call. Meanwhile, Fralick, Health Department staff and Board of Health members cited communications as a key issue they need to deal with in efforts to contain the spread of the killer virus that has claimed the lives of 62 people as of yesterday. COVID-19 | SEE PAGE 16 ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE Regular Unleaded $2.299 Mid Unleaded $2.459 Super $2.539 Diesel Fuel $2.639 "42 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2020 KERO $4.65 DEF $3.49 9 Diesel $2.219 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 Prices subject to change Happy New Year! FLEET

Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 Replacing DeRuosi $2.04 R School Committee plans to meet next week with consultant to map out plans for superintendent search By Mark E. Vogler epresentatives of the New England School Development Council (NESDEC) are expected to meet next week with the School Committee to lay the groundwork for a search to replace Saugus Public Schools Superintendent Dr. David DeRuosi, Jr. The full committee is set to confer with NESDEC as part of next Thursday night’s (Feb. 11) regularly scheduled meeting. “We’ll likely spend about an hour on the superintendent search, agreeing to a timeline for the whole process, start to finish, with the hopes of having a superintendent selected and hired with time to spare,” School Committee Vice Chair Ryan Fisher said in an interview yesterday. “We need to give direction on how we want to ‘sell’ Saugus to potential candidates,” Fisher said. “Clearly, we have areas where the next superintendent can make their mark on the district and help us improve, and they’ll inherit a fully reconfigured school system with all new or all refurbished schools right out of the gate. We’ll also want to have discussions on how to flesh out the search committee.” DeRuosi informed the committee in December that he plans to retire next June 30, at the end of his five years as leader of Saugus Public Schools. He also promised to advise them in their search for a replacement who could take over the district with a smooth transition. The School Committee recently hired NESDEC for $13,560 to be its consultant in advising on how the town DERUOSI | SEE PAGE 21 Church sponsors Community-Wide Drive for winter accessories for local youths in need Sat., Feb. 6 F irst Congregational Church-United Church of Christ Saugus is excited to sponsor a Community-Wide Drive for donations of winter hats, mittens/gloves and scarves for youths up to age 21 in our community who are in need. And the need is great. The Drive will take place this Saturday, February 6 from 10WHEELABRATOR | FROM PAGE 1 from dumping ash at the landfill beyond the current deadline of 2024. If you recall, they also had a deadline in 1996.... here we are 25 years later and they’re still dumping ash and we still get nothing in return for it because The Town has refused to negotiate with them. I’ve had enough of that and know we can do better.” Councillor-at-Large Jessica Giannino – who is also state representative who represents two precincts in Saugus – and Councillors Arthur Guinasso, Patrick M. Keefe Jr., Joanne 12. New, handmade or likenew and laundered items can be dropped off at the church at 300 Central St. We will be outside the front doors, which are located across from Town Hall on Hamilton St. Please wear your masks. Many families with youths are hurting financially for a number of reasons but espeMcKenna, Steven Morabito, John Powers, Ira Novoselsky, George Rotondo, Richard Serino and Gerry Visconti all signed the letter. Zambuto said he doesn’t think it was proper for the Revere City Council to be getting involved in Saugus affairs. But, in its letter, the Council members stressed that what goes on at the Wheelabrator trash-to-energy plant can have adverse impact on Revere residents. “In the interest of the health and safety of the thousands of Revere residents who live in the neighborhoods impacted by this facility (many of whom have lived here since before the incinerator was constructed in the 1970s), we respectfully ask that as conversations happen, and recommendations of this committee form, that you not entertain allowing this company to extend the life of its landfill beyond what is currently permitted,” the Revere City Councillors said in their letter. “The landfill may be in the Town of Saugus, but Wheelabrator’s operations deeply impact the City of Revere and the quality of life of the people we represent,” they said. “We respectfully ask that you be a good neighbor by not prolonging this environmental and public health nightmare any longer than is projected.” Cogliano vowed to “explore every possible option to betcially due to the pandemic. We would greatly appreciate the support of our community in this Drive because it really does take a village to raise a child. We look forward to seeing many of you this Saturday. Distribution of the items will be on Saturday, February 20 (details will be announced) at the Church. ter this current situation for the residents of Saugus and our surrounding communities.” Everything is negotiable with Wheelabrator at this point – if they are interested in increasing the height of the landfill, according to Cogliano. “First and foremost would be a reduction in the NOX level,” Cogliano said. “In my opinion, What comes out of the stack is far more concerning than what gets buried in the ground. Perhaps the landfill can be lined, the facility upgraded, and maybe we can provide a much-needed third fire station for the west side of Saugus,” he said. The selectman added that there is no harm in talking with Wheelabrator about the issue. And if the company “can’t deliver a safer situation for our residents...we walk away,” he said. “Something The Revere City Council should understand before sending such a letter is that when the day comes that the ash has to be paid for and hauled away....it’s going to be carted through Revere... not Saugus. I’m not quite sure your residents are going to appreciate that. I urge the Council to work with us, not against us,” he said. “Thank you again to council President Anthony Zambuto, you have my word that this committee has the best interest of your residents as well as ours.”

THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 Page 3 ~ THE ADVOCATE ASKS ~ Saugus’s newest Eagle Scout David Woodworth discusses the journey that “made me the person I am today” S unday marks the 111th anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America and the beginning of Boy Scout Anniversary Week, so for this week’s column we decided to interview the latest town resident to reach scouting’s highest honor. David Woodworth, of Saugus Boy Scout Troop 61, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout after passing his Board of Review last month. Woodworth, 18, the son of Sandra and Glen Woodworth, of Saugus, is a senior in the carpentry shop at Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School in Wakefield. He has been a member of Troop 61 of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Saugus since the third grade, when he started as a Cub Scout. He worked his way up through the ranks of scouting, completing the 21 required merit badgWhen I think back, I hated stuff like camping and doing activities. I was generally a shy person. Q: So, it’s helped you to become a more confident person who got involved in all sorts of activities where you had a chance to meet other people and grow? A: Yes. That’s it. I developed self-confidence and leadership skills that I didn’t have. Q: So, as you look back, what is your biggest accomplishment in scouting? Earning the Eagle badge? ASKS | SEE PAGE 4 EYE ON THE EAGLE: David Woodworth, of Saugus Boy Scout Troop 61, passed his Eagle Scout Board of Review last month. But he says he will probably wait several months so three other troop members can share a court of honor with him. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) SCOUTING’S HIGHEST HONOR: A few months from now, an Eagle Scout badge similar to this one will be pinned on the uniform of Saugus Boy Scout Troop 61 member David Woodworth, who recently passed his Board of Review for the award. The bronze palm on the ribbon stands for five additional merit badges over the 21 required for Eagle Scout. Having earned 26 merit badges, Woodworth is eligible for his first palm. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) PROJECT COMPLETED: For his Eagle Scout community service project, David Woodworth of Boy Scout Troop 61 led a work crew of 21 people who restored the playground at Camp Denison in Georgetown, Mass., by rebuilding the sandbox and refurbishing the swing set. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) es, participating in community service, organizing a Life Scout Project to improve the grounds around St. John’s Church and, finally, leading an Eagle Scout community service project at Camp Denison in Georgetown. David planned and organized a major restoration to the playground at Camp Denison by rebuilding the sandbox and refurbishing the swing set, making it safer and cleaner for future campers to enjoy. In addition to his years participating in scouting, David worked as scout staff at T.L. Storer campground in Barnstead, N.H., during the summers of 2018 and 2019. He also attended the National Boy Scout Jamboree in 2017 at The Summit Bechtel Reserve in the wilderness of West Virginia with other scouts from around the country. He has earned 26 merit badges, five more than required, which qualifies him for a bronze palm to be attached to the ribbon of his Eagle badge. He is currently a junior assistant scoutmaster of Troop 61 after serving previously as Troop Guide and Senior Patrol Leader. He is also an Ordeal Member of the Order of the Arrow (Pennacook Lodge), an elite organization that is considered scouting’s National Honor Society and recognizes experienced Scout campers. Highlights of this week’s interview follow. Q: What attracted you to Scouting and how many years have you been involved? A: They passed out the flyer for Cub Scouts when I was in elementary school, back in the third grade. My mom had tried to get me to join for a little while, so one day I told her “Mom, I want to join Pack 61,” and she called up the lady who ran the pack. That was about nine years ago. I’ve been a member of Troop 61 since about April of 2014. Q: What’s the most important thing that you have gotten out of scouting? A: Probably my own personal development. I would not be the person I am today without scouting. It’s helped me to get out of my shell and do things I never thought about doing. SNOW BLOWER SALES, SERVICE & REPAIRS Pickup/Delivery Available 1039 BROADWAY, REVERE 781-289-6466 781-289-6466 WWW.BIKERSOUTFITTER.COM WWW.BIKERSOUTFITTER.COM Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657

Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 ASKS | FROM PAGE 3 A: Eagle is one of them, obviously, but also attending a National Jamboree and being part of a camp staff at T.L. Storer campground in Barnstead, N.H. Those are two big accomplishments. I was really out of my comfort zone when I went to the National Jamboree in West Virginia. I just never liked camping that much. And it was for two weeks, away from home, camping with a lot of people I didn’t know. The whole experience kind of made me stop disliking camping. And after it was all over, it was like “Wow! It’s not that bad, and it’s kind of fun.” And then after that, my first year on camp staff gave me an experience I never had before. I enjoyed it so much, I did it again. Q: So, what does earning the Eagle badge mean to you? A: I really don’t look at it as attaining the rank of Eagle as the accomplishment. It really is about the journey to me. I remember sitting at a Scout meeting in 2014 and staring into a book and looking at all of the ranks and merit badges. And six years later, I had done everything along the way, except the Eagle Scout public service project. As I look back, I think about every little camping trip I did with the troop – all of the different experiences and the people I got to know, the things I learned, about leadership and personal growth. To me, the Eagle Scout badge represents all of that. Q: When you first looked into that book and saw all the ranks and merit badges, did you think it was attainable back then? A: Maybe, but I really didn’t really think to myself, “Yeah, I’m going to get that [Eagle badge].” I thought it might be cool, but I wasn’t really sure until I actually got it. It was a journey, and everything along the way culminated in earning Eagle Scout, because without all the other stuff, I don’t know how you are going to get there. Q: Was there anyone who was an inspiration for your journey? A: I wouldn’t say I ever had anyone who was an inspiration for me to get Eagle. I got help from a lot of people along the way. Q: Anything you want to say www.eight10barandgrille.com We Have Reopened for Dine-In and Outside Seating every day beginning at 4 PM WE'RE OPEN! 8 Norwood Street, Everett (617) 387-9810 STAY SAFE! to the kids of scouting age? Was it worth it? A: Absolutely, but I think it’s unfair that scouting in the twenty-first century is getting such a bad rap. It’s understandable, with all of the things going on, but it’s unfair. Back in the day, every kid joined scouting. What I would say to the kids out there today who are unsure because they hear that “scouting is just for nerds” – do it. If you end up getting something out of it, it’s worth it. Scouting is a lot more than what people think it is – like the stereotype out there that scouting is rubbing two sticks together to start a fire and eating a can of beans. There’s so much more SAND BOX BEFORE: Here’s what it looked like at Camp Denison playground in Georgetown, Mass., before David Woodworth’s Eagle Scout project got underway. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) to it than that. And it’s unfortunate that people think kids who are in scouting are weird, and the stereotype of kids going into the program is what keeps people away. There are these people who don’t realize how much good the program is really doing. Q: If you get married and have children, is this something you would get your kids involved in? A: Yes. Definitely. Q: So, please tell me about your Eagle Scout public service project. A: Our troop has been going to Camp Denison in Georgetown for about four years. We’ve gone camping there so many times and have had fun doing it. Q: So, you apparently have some kind of connection to the camp in Georgetown. A: Yeah, Mike Bonia, a troop leader of 61, lives there. The first time we went there, we were pretty skeptical. But the ranger, Don Anderson, let us do all kinds of stuff, so we kept going up there. Then, last February, we went up for Winter Fest at Camp Denison. I told the ranger I was looking for an Eagle Scout project. I didn’t know what I wanted to do for a project, but I knew I wanted to do it at that camp. And I decided to fix up the playground, and that’s how it got going. Q: How did the project turn out? A: It actually got delayed for five months because of the pandemic [COVID-19]. We were on target to start in April but had to shut down. With COVID, the delay from the initial date of April really just turned everything into a waiting game. Things had begun to calm down by August, so I went back to Denison and got a new project date from Don, the ranger. From there on I resumed planning, gathering donations, help and materials for the project. I started to get the ball rolling around early August. We finally did the project on the weekend of Sept. 11-13 and had everything done in one day. I had a maximum of 21 peoASKS | SEE PAGE 21                                         Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma

THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 Page 5 Waiting on the rollout Number of new COVID-19 cases this week is nearly half as many as in prior week; Crabtree says it may take up to 10 weeks to complete vaccine rollout for seniors and high-risk population By Mark E. Vogler T he encouraging news, according to town officials, is that the number of new Coronavirus cases has continued to drop in recent weeks as the town distances itself from the post-holiday surge that was seeing a stretch of 200 to 300 new cases weekly. In the latest count released yesterday (Thursday, Feb. 4) by the town, there were 79 new cases over the past week, as the overall total increased to 3,292 confirmed cases since the outbreak of the global pandemic last March. That is nearly half as many as the 153 new cases reported a week ago. Meanwhile the death total of Saugus residents increased by two to 62. “That’s still a lot cases and we still need to be very vigilant and hope that this downward trend continues,” Saugus Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree said in an interview yesterday. “Everybody has got to continue to use their due diligence as we continue to wait for the vaccine from the state. Once our Health Department secures enough vaccines for the community, they will do a roll out for seniors and the high risk people,” he said. “Hopefully, that can be accomplished within the next 8 to 10 weeks, based on what we get from the state and the federal government, in my opinion.” Saugus, like most communities, has been hindered in its efforts to slow down the spread of the virus because the vaccine rollout has not been working as smoothly as town officials had hoped, according to Crabtree. “It’s been frustrating for us,” Crabtree said. Last week, Crabtree had complained to selectmen that the town was still waiting for vaccines for first responders that were supposed to be delivered three weeks earlier, and he noted that 20 people were affected. Crabtree blamed the local problems on the available supply – a problem that has been common. “We want to vaccinate people as soon as possible, especially high-risk people,” he said. The Saugus Senior Center has recently been inundated with calls from Saugus residents who wanted to know when the vaccine will be available. “They’ve received close to 100 calls over the past week,” Crabtree said. A press release issued on February 3 by the Town of Saugus also noted that 53 more people in Massachusetts have died after contracting COVID-19, bringing the state total to 14,415. In addition, there were 2,186 newly reported cases. So far, 504,564 cases in total have been confirmed while 13,874,158 total tests for the virus have been administered. The February 3 COVID-19 update also provided information on how residents can obtain tests to determine whether they have contracted the virus. “The Town of Saugus has partnered with the Commonwealth, Fallon Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and the Square One Mall as a collaborative effort to work to downgrade the Town’s designated “High Risk” red COVID-19 status by establishing and extending the following COVID-19 testing sites in Saugus: “Fallon EMS at the Square One Mall (Far Side Parking Lot on Essex Street), located at 1201 Broadway with entry off of Essex Street, will offer free mobile drive-up testing for Saugus residents in their cars Monday through Saturday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. No appointment is needed. [Residents] drive-up and register using a tablet when they arrive. Saugus Police will be assisting with traffic. The testing site will be staffed by 1012 individuals to handle registrations. All samples go directly to the Broad [Institute] in Cambridge for immediate testing with a 24-36 hour turnaround time. Notification of results will be made for negative results via emails while phone calls will be made for positive COVID-19 results. These sites do close when it rains because of risk of test contamination. The state has indicated the site will remain open until further notice. “This information will be on the Town’s website and on the state’s website: https:// www.mass.gov/info-details/ stop-the-spread?rgja#saugus-. “The Board of Health and the Saugus Health Department will continue to partner with the state and are working on a planned response to the COVID-19. They are analyzing the data from the past couple of weeks and developing specific strategies to combat the spread through additional enforcement and intervention measures. We need to do whatever is necessary to keep ourselves, family, neighbors, and communities safe. Continue to wear your masks, wash hands, avoid gatherings, and continue to follow the CDC and MDPH guidelines. “The Saugus Health Department strongly believes that additional unrecognized cases DO exist in Saugus. Due to the fact that they are undetected, some of these infected individuals may not be properly isolated or quarantined, which is why Governor Charlie Baker [directed] to wear a cloth face cover over [your] face when around others, practice social distancing, avoid gatherings, and to follow the CDC and MDPH guidance. “Again, this is a reminder that … the CDC and MDPH [have] provided guidance to everyone regarding preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the Commonwealth. “Please follow CDC and MDPH guidance to prevent COVID-19 illness by: • Cleaning your hands often for at least: 20 seconds • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth • Staying at least six feet between yourself and others • Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others “Please stay healthy and please call us with any needs. We are [here] for you. “For more information, contact the Saugus Health Department at (781) 231-4117 and/or the Town Manager’s office at 781-231-4111.”

Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 State Rep. Wong donates to World Series Park Lighting Fund (Editor’s Note: The following info is from a press release issued by World Series Park.) tate Representative Donald Wong (R-Saugus) recently made a $1,000 donation to the World Series Park Lighting Fund. He has always supported World Series Park since it was built in 2004. As well as purchasing a sponsorship sign, he has always taken part in every ceremony at the park and donated food on S several occasions. Representative Wong has served in the Massachusetts Legislature since 2011, representing most of Saugus and parts of Wakefi eld and Lynn. He has been responsible for sponsoring many bills and working on several committees – with a perfect legislative attendance record. One of his recent accomplishments was getting the funding for the road improvements both north and south on Route 1 through Saugus. Lights will be installed at World Series Park this year. Lighting the fi eld will extend its use by both allowing for more games to be played and never having to stop a game because of darkness. “Representative Wong is one of our longtime supporters,” World Series Park Superintendent Bob Davis said. “He often has said that he saw something in the park that he thought was worthwhile, which was providing more opportunity to the youth of Saugus to play baseball. He continues to do whatever he can to support World Series Park and we are very grateful for this.” Donations to the World Series Park Lighting Fund can either be mailed to World Series Park, 8 Holden Ave., Saugus, MA 01906 HELPING TO LIGHT UP THE PARK: Left to right, State Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) presents a donation check for $1,000 to World Series Park Superintendent Bob Davis for World Series Park Lighting Fund. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) or by going to the website – worldseriespark.net – and doing it through GoFundMe. People who donate $100 or more will get their name on a permanent plaque. Donations can also be made in honor of others or in memory of loved ones. Lesser donations will gladly be accepted. “We are asking people who AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE CA$H FOR YOUR CAR! DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! Cold Hard Cash For Your Car, Truck or SUV! 2013 KIA SORRENTO 4X4 Remote Start, Third Row Seating, Premium Sound System, One Owner, Only 73K Miles, One Owner, Warranty! PRICE REDUCED! $10,500 Easy Financing Available! 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Sport Package, 4X4, Leather Interior, Loaded, One Owner, 105K Miles, Excellent Condition, Warranty! PRICE REDUCED! $10,500 781-321-8841 1236 EasternAve • Malden EddiesAutotech.com We Pay Cash For Your Vehicle! A WINTER WONDERLAND: Snow-covered World Series Park plans to install lights this season. Donations are being accepted to complete fi nancing the cost. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate by Jim Harrington) have ever played a baseball game or attended a game at World Series Park to help our Lighting Fund by making a donation,” Bob said. “As we begin our seventeenth season, we feel we are ready for lights, not only fi nancially but because we need to extend the fi eld use, which is in high demand during the season. Donations are coming in dribs and drabs, but we have a lot more funds to raise. Several of our sponsors have already donated and we are extremely grateful for their generosity. Please help us in our eff ort to get lights for the park.” THE ENTERTAINER AKA THE NOSE He played for the New York By Th e Old Sachem, Bill Stewart E dward Steven Phillip Shack was a well-travelled hockey player in the NHL, playing for six NHL clubs during his career. He was born on February 11, 1937, in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, the son of Ukrainian immigrants, Bill and Lena Shack. He had problems in school with illnesses between the fi rst and third grades and never recovered academic progress. He eventually dropped out of public school, stayed illiterate and began working as a salesman for a butcher shop. Eddie tried out for the Guelph Biltmores hockey club. While playing for the Biltmores, he supported himself with jobs at a meat market and as a driver of a coal truck. Eddie Shack passed away July 25, 2020, at the age of 83. Shack played junior hockey for fi ve years for Guelph from the age of 15, and his best season was 1956-1957 when he led the league in assists. The Biltmores won the Memorial Cup that season, with Shack playing in six games, notching two goals and two assists. During his junior hockey seasons from 1952 to 1957, Shack played 194 games, scored 91 goals and had 128 assists and 346 penalty minutes in regular season play. Except for his fi rst season, his club appeared in the playoff s four consecutive seasons. The Biltmores were owned by the New York Rangers during those years, and they signed Schack to a professional contract, then assigned him to their American League farm team, the Providence Reds, in 1957, where he played in 35 games that season. Shack had a great season with 16 goals and 18 assists, accumulating 98 penalty minutes. Rangers for a season and a half before being dropped to the Springfi eld Indians, then back to the Rangers. He played 149 games over the three seasons for the Rangers. During the 1960-1961 season, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he had his major career. He played seven seasons, was traded to the Boston Bruins during the 1967-1968 season and was later traded to the Los Angeles Kings in the 1969-1971 seasons, then to the Buff alo Sabres in the 19701972 seasons, to the Pittsburgh Penguins for the 19711973 seasons, and back to the Maple Leafs during the 19731974 season, and he played part of the 1974-1975 season. In 1974 he was demoted to the Oklahoma City Blazers in the Central Hockey League and fi nished his hockey days with the THE NOSE | SEE PAGE 9

THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 Page 7 Legislature passes landmark climate change bill; Giannino votes on first piece of legislation B OSTON – On January 28 the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate reaffirmed their commitment to addressing the climate crisis facing our Commonwealth by passing legislation that overhauls our state’s climate laws, drives down greenhouse gas emissions, creates clean energy jobs, and protects Environmental Justice (EJ) communities. The passage of An Act creating a next-generation roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy (S.9) comes after a joint commitment from Senate President Karen E. Spilka and House Speaker Ronald Mariano, as well as last session’s House and Senate Chairs of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy – Senator Michael Barrett and Representative Thomas Golden – to refile the legislation (S.2995) following a gubernatorial veto last session. The bill is now on the governor’s desk. “This legislation outlines a clear roadmap to address our immediate climate crisis,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Time is of the essence and we could not let a delay hamper our efforts to protect future generations. The necessary tools included in this legislation will soon lead to lower emissions, a thriving green economy, and cleaner air and water for all. I want to thank my legislative partner, House Speaker Mariano for his collaboration, Senator Barrett and Representative Golden for their steadfast support, and the residents of Massachusetts for their support in this endeavor.” “The House and Senate again acted to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, lead on clean energy, and protect environmental justice communities,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Senate President Spilka for her commitment to joining the House in responding immediately to Governor Baker’s veto of this important legislation. I am also grateful for the work and leadership of Chairman Golden, and for my colleagues in the House for acting with the urgency the climate crisis demands.” “The swift passage of the Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy underscores the Legislature’s commitment to addressing the devastating impacts of the climate crisis and protecting our environment for future generations,” said Senator Joe Boncore (D-Winthrop). “From storms that flood our coastal streets, to increased rates of asthma among children, the climate crisis is in our backyards. This legislation supports a targeted approach to combatting climate change in our Environmental Justice communities.” “I am so proud to report Jessica Ann Giannino State Representative that the first piece of legislation that I voted to enact is one that is so near and dear to my coastal district. The House and Senate have sent a clear message to Governor Baker that now is the time to codify meaningful climate change policy in the Commonwealth,” said Representative Jessica Giannino (D-Revere). “Growing up in Revere, and serving as City Councillor during some of the worst coastal storms and strange weather events that our community has endured in recent years, I have witnessed firsthand the effects of climate change, particularly on communities like Revere, Chelsea and Saugus. Additionally, I am particularly proud that ‘Environmental Justice’ will be codified in our general laws. For too long, communities in the Sixteenth Suffolk District have had to endure environmental hardship simply by virtue of being urban communities with socio-economic characteristics that are not that of more affluent areas of the Commonwealth. The EJ provisions will amplify the community's voice, and give populations in EJ neighborhoods a bolder seat at the table when it comes to dealing with polluters.” “The most recent numbers tell us Massachusetts is backsliding in terms of reducing emissions,” said Senator Mike LEGISLATURE | SEE PAGE 19

Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 SAUGUS GARDENS IN THE PANDEMIC Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener t’s hard to look at the date without remembering one of the biggest storms of local memory. Feb. 5-7, 2021, is the 42nd anniversary of the Blizzard of ’78, which struck eastern New England with terrific I winds and record snow. Cars on the highways were buried in drifts, making extra challenges for plows attempting to clear the roadways. While the depth of snow from this week’s snowfall doesn’t come close to approaching that historic storm, the ground is once Law Offices of Terrence W. Kennedy 512 Broadway, Everett • Criminal Defense • Personal Injury • Medical Malpractice Tel: (617) 387-9809 Cell: (617) 308-8178 twkennedylaw@gmail.com SIGNS OF THE STORM: White pine near Route 1. Note snow stuck to the northeast sides of trunks due to this week’s nor’easter. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) again white. It makes us take note of the taller landmarks in town that reach up well beyond the snowbanks. I don’t know of any definite measurements that would indicate which tree is the tallest in Saugus, but it’s a good bet that it would be an eastern white pine (Pinus strobus). In most of our woods, white pines extend above the canopies of their neighboring trees. The tallest white pines ever measured in New England reached over 200 feet tall, and this is the tallest tree species in eastern North America. Of course, the giant sequoias of the west grow to be much taller. The tallest tree in Massachusetts is a white pine currently measuring 171 feet tall, It is out in the Trees of Peace Grove of Mohawk Trail State Forest, which has a collection of extremely tall white pines. The largest one is named Jake Swamp for the late Mohawk Iroquois Chief Jake Tekaronianeken Swamp (October 18, 1940–October 14, 2010), who visited the grove in the early 21st century and was very active in outreach missions relating to Native American history and peace. He was founder of the Tree of Peace Society in 1984 and planted many “trees of peace” in his lifetime. Traditionally, white pine is the species that represents peace for the Iroquois Nation. In addition to its place as the tree of peace, eastern white pine has many important roles in U.S. history. Big white pines were historically cherished for ship masts, and early in the colonial era the largest specimens GROWING IN THE ROCK: White pines tower over other trees on the shore of Birch Pond in Lynnhurst – and two new ones take root in the crevices of a rock. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) TRACES OF THE TREE: Eastern white pine cone and fallen needle clusters. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) A GROVE OF WHITE PINES: This band of trees near Route 1 in Saugus shows tall, straight, mast-like trunks. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) were marked with “the king’s broad arrow” to be used for the royal navy, and not allowed to be cut by local lumbermen for other purposes. After the revolution, the trees were used in local shipbuilding and for building houses. During the age of sail, most of the old growth pines were logged, so the largest pines we encounter now are only a few hundred years old. The first coin minted in colonial Massachusetts bore the image of a pine tree – the 1652 pine tree shilling. There is a story that Joseph Jenks, who rented a blacksmith shop on the site of the original ironworks in the 17th century, actually made the die for the pine tree shilling here in Saugus, but that story can’t be proven. Next time you are near the State House in Boston, look up at the top of the dome and you will see an architectural representation of a pine cone. Up until 1820, what is now the State of Maine was part of Massachusetts. Eastern white pine needles are 3-5" long and arranged in bundles of five. The number of GARDENS | SEE PAGE 19

THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 Page 9 Dodging a snowball, Saugus sees four inches of snow C By Tara Vocino hildren enjoyed their snow day to the fullest while sledding and snow tubing at the Veterans Memorial Elementary School during Tuesday’s Nor’easter. Saugus received approximately four inches of icy, slushy snow. TANDEM: Smiling as they sledded down the hill were Shaun Kusch, 4, with mom, Kaitlin Hagstrom, of Saugus, on Tuesday morning at the Veterans Memorial Elementary School. While snow tubing, Drew Ferreira, 10, a fi fth grader at Waybright Elementary School, said he’s having fun on his snow day. Saugus residents Shaun Kusch, 4, and his mother, Kaitlin Hagstrom, with a polar bear sled. Children enjoyed their snow day to the fullest while sledding and snow tubing at the Veterans Memorial Elementary School during Tuesday’s nor’easter. Saugus received approximately four inches of icy, slushy, plowable snow. THE NOSE | FROM PAGE 6 Whitby Warriors in the Ontario Hockey Association Senior League. For most of his career, he was known as an agitator, incurring many penalty minutes for fi ghting. He was very popular with the fans, who envisioned him as a colorful left wing who did not score many goals, but often fought to the delight of his fans. A sportswriter in Canada, Stephen Cole, dubbed Shack’s playing as that of “a big puppy let loose in a wide fi eld.” In an age where hockey players were usually small, Shack stood six-foot-one and weighed 200 pounds. Eddie Shack had a breakout season in 1965-1966 – scoring 26 goals and 17 assists while recording 88 penalty minutes. His popularity reached high ground when a local group, Douglas Rankine with the Secrets, recorded a song, “Clear the Track, Here Comes Shack,” which reached the top of the Canadian pop chart and remained there for three months. A line of the tune stated, “He knocks ’em down and he gives ’em a whack.” His scoring was diminished during this season, so a trade was imminent. He had been a member of four Stanley Cup teams, and in the 1963 games he was credited with the winning goal – he maintained he was only trying to get out of the way of a shot and it rebounded in off his backside. Shack played on the 1967 Maple Leafs Stanley Cup team, and he was traded to the Bruins during the off -season. With the Bruins he was left wing with Derek Sanderson and Ed Westfall, where he scored 26 goals. During his nine seasons with the Leafs, the club reached the playoff s eight times. In his National League career, he played in 1,047 games, scored 239 goals with 226 assists and accumulated 1,437 penalty minutes. Shack played in the National Hockey League All-Star game in 1962, 1963 and 1964. When his playing days were over, Eddie Shack was the advertising spokesman in Canada, mostly for The Pop Shoppe soft drinks and Schick razors, and for his own small chain of donut stores bearing his name. Among his achievements, along with hockey, although he was illiterate for most of his life, he became an advocate for literacy programs in the province of Ontario. DOWNHILL RACER: a pure adrenaline rush sliding down the hill! Sydney Ferreira, 12, a sixth grader at Saugus Middle School, wished for more snow. Saugus received approximately four slushy inches of snow during Tuesday’s Nor’easter. Enjoying some family fun were mom Danielle Ferreira with her children, Sydney, 12, and Drew, 10. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) Banking with a hometown touch. Open a free checking account with no monthly fees, and get access to Mobile Banking, Bill Pay and other features. Because no matter where you go, we’re right by you. Call or visit us to sign up. 419 BROADWAY, EVERETT MA 02149 61 7-38 7 - 1 1 10 7 7 1 SALEM ST, LYNNFIELD, MA 01940 781-7 76- 4444 WWW.EVERET TBANK . COM Right by you. Member FDIC Member DIF

Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS By Mark E. Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. Clothing drive tomorrow for needy Saugus youths The First Congregational Church-United Church of Christ Saugus tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 6) is sponsoring a Community-Wide Drive for donations of winter hats, mittens/ gloves and scarves for youths up to age 21 in our community who are in need. And the need is great, according to event organizers. The Drive will take place from 10 a.m. to noon. New, handmade or like new and laundered items can be dropped off at the church at 300 Central St. “We will be outside the front doors, which are located across from Town Hall on Hamilton Street. Please wear your masks,” Terri Leander said. “Many families with youth are hurting financially for a number of reasons but especially due to the pandemic. We would greatly appreciate the support of our community in this Drive because it really does take a village to raise a child,” Leander said. “Looking forward to seeing many of you this Saturday.” Distribution of the items will be on Saturday, Feb. 20 (details will be announced) at the Church. Calling young artists If you are a school-age student living in Saugus and love to draw or paint or take photographs, here’s your chance to display your artistic talents – for everyone in your hometown to see. “The Selectmen’s Office is seeking any original artwork and / or photographs created by any Saugus school aged child to be included in the Town of Saugus Annual Report,” according to an email we received this week from Wendy Reed, clerk of the Saugus Board of Selectmen. “One will be chosen for the Annual Report cover. Artwork should include student’s name and age and may be sent to: Saugus Board of Selectmen, 298 Central Street.” Or, you may email Wendy at wreed@saugus-ma.gov. Artwork must be received by the selectmen’s office no later than Feb. 25. This sounds like a great opportunity. We have a winner! We have a winner in last week’s “Guess Who Got Sketched” contest. Congratulations to Jeanie Bartolo, who contacted us first and offered the correct answer. Thanks to other readers who responded by email or phone message. Try again this week. Here’s last week’s answer, offered by the person who goes by the name of The Sketch Artist: “Last week’s sketch was part of a duet team! Mr. Joe Dion and here’s Mrs. Joe Dion (Debbie Dion-Faust) to tell you about her husband in her own words: ‘Joe Dion was born and raised in Saugus, growing up in the Bristow Street area, graduated with Saugus HS class of 1962, is a member of his alumni association and likes to attend occasional reunions. He served in the Navy in the 1960’s in three places: 1) Great Lakes Machinist’s Mate School, 2) Atlanta Reserve Fleet in Portsmouth, VA and 3) aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Kearsarge in Viet Nam. He lived in Oklahoma and Texas for a number of years before returning to Saugus to be near his mother after his father died. Worked for Eastern Airlines until they went under. Helped to build and paint sets for drama club productions in three schools in which his wife was employed for 32 years. (I used to call him my “long-suffering husband,” because around 20 weeks out of every school year he sat home by himself with the cats while I left the house by 6:30 a.m. and got home after afternoon rehearsals at about 7 p.m. or after evening rehearsals at 10:30 p.m. or later.) Upon his return to Saugus he got involved with the American Legion in an effort to assist veterans. He is currently the Senior Vice-Commander of the Legion and as such deals with new members and transfers. He helped to establish the Friday morning breakfast, re-invigorate the meetings by serving a dinner first, and talked his newly retired wife into helping out with it in 2012, and encouraged her to manage the hall starting in 2014. Debbie’ “*Thank You to a wonderful couple you shine brightly! Yours Truly, The Sketch Artist” A “Shout-Out” for Mother Nature’s signs of spring We learned this week that Punxsutawney Phil – that GUESS WHO GOT SKETCHED! 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. The first reader to respond between now and Tuesday morning and correctly identify the Saugonian being sketched is the winner of a $10 gift certificate, compliments of Dunkin’ at the 1204 Broadway Saugus location at Route 1 North. But you have to enter to win! Look for the winner and identification 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”) A “Shout-Out” for the Boy Scouts of Saugus Monday (Feb. 8) will mark the 111 the anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. That means tomorrow will be Scout Sunday – the official start of Boy Scout Anniversary Week. To mark the occasion, we interviewed Saugus’s newest Eagle – David Woodworth of local Boy Scout Troop 61. As I mentioned before in this column, I always look forward to interviewing Eagle Scouts because they embrace the best of America by doing so many good deeds in communities throughout America. Of course, I am biased when it comes to Eagle Scouts. It will be 53 years ago this coming spring that I received my Eagle Scout badge. As the saying goes: “Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.” I have no doubts that my scouting experience with Troop 26 in Swansea, Mass., had a profound influence on the person I turned out to be. And I know from firsthand experience what it takes to become Eagle Scout. I actually owe my start in journalism to the scouting experience. Jean Allardice, whose son Wesley Allardice earned his Eagle badge the same time I did and was honored the same night, worked as a correspondent for the Fall River Herald News daily newspaper and the Somerset weekly, Spectator Press. She arranged for me to be a troop news reporter, filing stories on troop activities to The Herald News. A few years later, she recommended me to the Spectator for a sports writing job. I got paid 15 cents an inch covering high school sports during my final two years prognosticating groundhog – saw his shadow. So, as the legendary critter’s predictions go, we are due for six more weeks of winter. That’s not necessarily the case as far as Jeanie Bartolo is concerned. Saugus’s prolific “shout-out” contributor nominated the encouraging signs of Mother Nature that she personally witnessed. “Spring can’t be too far away,” Jeanie said. “Flocks of robins, blue jays and tiny woodpeckers have been in my yard the past two days all getting along together!” at Joseph Case High School in Swansea. Daily newspapers in Fall River, Boston and Providence learned that I covered games and later paid me to string for them – some great experience even before I got to college. Unfortunately Scouting has suffered from some bad publicity in recent years: filing for bankruptcy in the wake of declining membership and child sexual abuse allegations across the country. It’s quite unfortunate, because the allegations have tarnished the once great reputation of the BSA and its incredible impact upon America. Out of the thousands of Boy Scouts every year, only a handful – anywhere from 2 to 8 percent reach the rank of Eagle Scout. Here are a dozen of some of the most famous Eagle Scouts: • Neil Armstrong, an American astronaut and the first man to walk on the moon • Steven Spielberg, and Academy Award-winning director of “Schindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan” • Gerald Ford, the 38th U.S. president • Michael Dukakis, former Massachusetts Governor and presidential candidate • Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg L.P. and former New York City mayor • Harrison Salisbury, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who covered the civil rights movement, Kennedy assassination and Vietnam War • Paul Siple, the Antarctic explorer who coined the term “windchill” • Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of modern television • Sam Walton, founder of Walmart • Percy Sutton, civil rights leader, Tuskegee Airmen pilot, entrepreneur who revitalized the Apollo Theater in New York • Thomas Norris, Navy SEAL who received Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War • Mitchell Paige, Marine who received Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942 There have many other famous folks – like NBA basketball great Michael Jordan, civil rights leader Martin Luther King and Presidents John Kennedy and George W. Bush and Baseball Hall of Fame slugger Hank Aaron – who were involved in scouting, although they didn’t become Eagles. The scouting movement actually originated in Great Britain in 1908, when Lieutenant General Robert Stephenson Smyth Badin-Powell founded the Boy Scout Association. W.D. Boyce, a newspaperman and entrepreneur, brought scouting to the United States two years later, with its original purpose: to train youths in responsible citizenship, character development and self-reliance. And despite its troubles of late, it’s an organization that should be a key component of any community. Child sex abuse scandals have rocked the Catholic Church, the teaching profession, child day care centers and youth sports. But organizations, with the best of intentions, are only as good as the people in charge. And from all indications – at least from my observations as an observer of the two Boy Scout Troops in Saugus over the past five years – Boy Scouting has been a wonderful youth program that’s done the town proud. I would encourage any parent of scouting age kids to check out one of the troops. 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 the mention in the subject line of “An Extra Shout-Out.” No more than a paragraph; anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or photo. Snowstorm puts trash/recycling on one-day delay The Town of Saugus announced that the trash and recycling collection will run on a one-day delay through tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 6), because of the snowstorm earlier in the week. Residents whose collection day falls on today (Friday, Feb. 5) will be collected on Saturday. Residents should make sure trash and recycling is accessible. The compost/recycling site has closed for the season. The next time this site will be open is Saturday, Feb. 20, THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | SEE PAGE 11

THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 Page 11 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | FROM PAGE 10 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Town of Saugus would like to thank everyone for their cooperation. Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Lorna Cerbone at 781-231-4036 with any questions. Hats off to Riley What an honor it was for Saugus Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Corinne Riley to have received a ceremonial pen from Gov. Baker’s ceremonial bill signing that sets up an emergency relief fund for town residents. She received the pen from state Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) as a gesture of appreciation for her hard work introducing the home rule petition before selectmen and Saugus Town Meeting members last year. It looks like an inexpensive pen with the governor’s name on it. But for those folks – local officials, legislators, civilians and others – who are fortunate enough to be recognized with one, it’s a big deal. To be formally credited with helping to pass a state law is quite a satisfying accomplishment. And I’m sure that any other Saugonian who has been involved in something like that would. I certainly do. As a recipient of numerous national, state and regional journalism awards over a career of close to half a century, I cherish the framed pens from governors in two different states more than any of my journalism commendations. I got a pen from then-Florida Governor Bob Graham after being credited with helping to pass a 1984 Florida law requiring fingerprint and background checks on teacher applicants after writing a series of articles on dozens of convicted felons being certified as schoolteachers. Twenty years later, in 2004, I received a pen from then Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for being the lead reporter for the (Lawrence) Eagle-Tribune in an exhaustive investigative series on auto insurance fraud. Romney credited the series with helping to pass the so called “anti-runner” law – which prohibits chiropractors and lawyers from paying shadowy figures known as “runners” to solicit clients in accident claims – which often turn out to be fraudulent. Even after being part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning project at the Eagle-Tribune and five national Sigma Delta Chi Awards, I am proudest of the pens from the two governors. Keep that line open! It’s pretty clear that the Saugus Health Department is being inundated with telephone calls – many of them about the COVID-19 vaccine and other virus-related matters. But there is no excuse for a town resident calling the health director’s number (781-231-4120) and not being able to leave a message because the voicemail box was full. This happened to me two days in a row – Monday (Feb. 1) and Tuesday (Feb. 2). On Wednesday, the voice mailbox was finally accepting messages. But by deadline yesterday, nobody had returned my call. And calls that I made a few weeks ago have also gone unanswered. So, I found it odd watching Monday’s Board of Health meeting and hearing the discussion about how to get information out to the public. “If you have information you want to get out, we are all ears. Mark at Saugus Advocate,” I texted Board of Health Chair William Heffernan during the meeting. “Will do. Thank you,” he answered. I’m still waiting and eager to help. Local concerns linger about Saugus cops at the Capitol If you accept last week’s comments by Saugus Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano and Saugus Police Chief Michael Ricciardelli at their word (“The Sounds of Saugus,” Jan. 29), there is nothing more to say about two town police officers who were down in Washington, D.C., on the day that supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol. About a month later, no evidence – website photos or videos – have surfaced showing that the two officers did anything improper. They were in Washington as Trump supporters, but were not part of the legions of rioters who swarmed the Capitol building, according to Cogliano. And the chief told us he was unaware of any officers being under investigation. Unless evidence surfaces that disputes their account, there doesn’t look like there will be anymore to the story. But globally the debate rages on in the law enforcement community. An interesting article by the Associated Press which we received this week from one of our readers has raised some interesting questions. And we’ve gotten a few emails from people who don’t want to let the issue go. And concerns may linger because of the optics of the situation. “...what about those officers who attended only the Trump rally before the riot?” the AP asked in its recent story. “How does a department balance an officer’s free speech rights with the blow to public trust that comes from the attendance of law enforcement at an event with far-right militants and white nationalists who went on to assault the seat of American democracy? “An Associated Press survey of law enforcement agencies nationwide found that at least 31 officers in 12 states are being scrutinized by their supervisors for their behavior in the District of Columbia or face criminal charges for participating in the riot. Officials are looking into whether the officers violated any laws or policies or participated in the violence while in Washington. “A Capitol Police officer died after he was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher as rioters descended on the building and many other officers were injured. A woman was shot to death by Capitol Police and three other people died after medical emergencies during the chaos.” The article quotes several legal and law enforcement sources saying it was a matter of free speech and the cops’ right to attend the rally for Trump – before it turned into an unruly mob scene. “But Ayesha Bell Hardaway, a professor at Case Western Reserve University law school, said an officer’s presence at the rally creates a credibility issue as law enforcement agencies work to repair community trust, especially after last summer’s protests against police brutality sparked by the police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor,” according to the AP story. “Communities will question the integrity of officers who attended the rally along with ‘individuals who proudly profess racist and divisive viewpoints,’ she said. ‘It calls into question whether those officers are interested in engaging in policing in a way that builds trust and legitimacy in all communities, including communities of color’,” the story quotes Hardaway as saying. Essentially, a national debate has evolved over whether there was at least an appearance of improper conduct by the cops who participated in the Trump rally, even if they weren’t involved in the deadly storming of the Capitol. If people in law enforcement are talking about this on the national level, surely there will be discussions among cops, criminal justice officials and law enforcement lawyers at the state and local level – if there aren’t already. Stay tuned. Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus (HS2) continues The Grab-N-Go meals program is back for another year at the Saugus Public Schools to keep needy students from going hungry. Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus (HS2), in partnership with Whitsons Food Service, continues with its noble program. Breakfasts and lunches will be available for pick up at Veterans Memorial School at 39 Hurd Ave. every Tuesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. HS2 is a nonprofit group that helps to offset food insecurity in households. HS2 provides a supply of nutritious food for weekends or school holidays during the school year. For more information or assistance, please email hs2information@gmail.com or visit the Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus Facebook page. Food Pantry still open The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will continue to remain open on Fridays between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. despite concerns over the Coronavirus. They have made adjustments to protect their core of volunteers and the needy people who receive the food. “For the protection of our volunteers & clients, and to limit personal contact & crowding/gathering, the food pantry has been distributing pre-bagged groceries,” says Wendy Reed, Clerk of the Saugus Board of Selectmen, who also oversees the operation of the all-volunteer food pantry. “We understand clients may receive items they don’t want or need, but feel this is the best course of action to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19. Those in need, even for short term or one-time assistance are encouraged to come.” The food pantry is in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church at 50 Essex St. in Saugus. Food help for veterans Saugus offers a Veterans Food Pantry on the third Wednesday of each month. “We have been holding it in Melrose since the Saugus Senior Center has been closed,” Saugus Veteran Services Officer Jay Pinette says. “The pantry provides a mix of fresh produce and non-perishable foods. The pantry is open to Veterans and/or surviving spouses. Registration is required and may be done by contacting the Veterans Services Office.” “The food market is generally held at the Saugus Senior Center, but given the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently offering a contact-free, drive-thru food pantry at Memorial Hall on Main Street in Melrose. If you are unable to pick-up, some limited deliveries may be available. This offering is year round. Please call the Saugus Veterans’ Service Office at 781-231-4010 or e-mail VeteransServices@saugus-ma.gov in order to register. Proof of Veteran status is required.” Helping the Vet During these challenging times, your local Veterans’ Service Officers (VSOs) would like to share some information on a benefit program that is available to those who qualify. If you are a Veteran or the surviving spouse of a Veteran, the “Chapter 115 Benefits Program” is a Massachusetts state initiative that provides financial aid for Veterans and/or their surviving spouses who reside in Massachusetts and meet certain income and asset guidelines. Benefits may include monthly ordinary benefits and/or payment/reimbursement for medical expenses. Whether you are laid off, in transition or living on a fixed income, the program is designed to provide short-term or longterm assistance as needed to provide relief. The program is overseen by the Massachusetts Department Veterans’ Services (DVS), which runs the program in partnership with local VSOs. Every town or district in Massachusetts has a VSO. VSOs assist Veterans and their dependents in learning about, applying for and receiving Chapter 115 benefits. VSOs can also help you in applying for other benefits and connecting with local resources. Your local VSO handles applications, obtains program approval from DVS and provides local benefits. The program is funded by a combination of state and local funds. DVS pays for 75% of the approved benefits and your city or town pays for 25%. There are income and asset limits for the program. As a general rule, income and asset requirements are: Family of 1 – monthly income less than $2,081and an asset limit of $5,000. Family of 2 – monthly income less than $2,818 and an asset limit of $9,800. To determine if you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Chapter 115 program, visit the following website and follow the instructions – https://massvetben.org/ – or call your local VSO for more information. The VSOs are also able to help Veterans apply for Federal VA benefits and local benefits and provide food assistance monthly. For example, did you know that if you own a home and have a VA service-connected disability, you are eligible for a partial or full exemption of your property taxes? “Please contact your local Veterans’ Service Officer for more information on any of the services mentioned. We are all here to assist. We are regularly checking voicemails and emails as we continue to work remotely and in our offices throughout COVID-19.” Melrose: Karen Burke, 781-979-4186, kburke@cityofmelrose.org. Wakefield: David Mangan, 781-246-6377, dmangan@ wakefield.ma.us. Saugus: Jay Pinette, 781-231-4010, jpinette@saugus-ma. gov. Buy a brick to honor your vets “Veterans Buy-a-Brick Program. Due to the low number of orders and the uncertainty of how a Veterans Day ceremony will be allowed, the program will be extended until May. The installation of bricks will be during the Memorial Day ceremony. We will be contacting the peoTHE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | SEE PAGE 16

Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 Brady or Belichick? The Coach or the QB? Which one? It doesn’t matter! Strive for sanity, folks: Be content with all the joy, excitement and pride the Patriots have delivered through the years By Steve Freker I t started way back on St. Patrick’s Day, 2020, oh, about 1.72 seconds after Tom Brady confirmed the inevitable. TB12’s “other” size 13 cleat finally dropped. He was leaving – for real. Less than two seconds after, the New England Patriots faithful collectively sighed and exclaimed, in unison, “I can’t believe it! I can’t believe he’s leaving!” ...It began. “The Question,” we can call it. “The Question,” of course, is “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” Bill Belichick or Quarterback Tom Brady?” For some people, who may have made a full-course meal out of all the ins and outs of The Question for the past, well, nearly a year now, it was an all-consuming, never-ending crusade. “We must know! We must have the answer! For the love of Tony Danza, who’s the boss? In the name of Reggie Jackson, who really stirred the drink?? For all that is sacred in the realm of Foghorn Leghorn, who truly ruled the roost? Who, WHO, WHOOO!!!!” How about this one: neither! It’s a tall order, but if you really Tom Brady (left) is back in the Super Bowl on Sunday, leading the Tampa Buccaneers against Patrick Mahomes (right) and the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in Tampa. (Courtesy Photo) dirt parking lot (which turned to mud if someone so much as spit on it) days of the original Schaefer Stadium. That is, a dirt parking lot with no marked lines. They basically threw up a cement block, bare bones, no niceties football stadium in the middle of a barren section of land on the Foxboro-Wrentham line and called it an NFL stadium. We were happy for any wins. Forget about Bill Belichick. We thought that Chuck Fairbanks walked on water in the late 1970s. The 1980s were a nightmare, except 1985-1986, of course. The highlight of a least a couple of journeys to the then Sullivan Stadium was not winning or losing, it was watching one of our friends throw half of the Hibachi griddle through some random window in the parking lot. Again, Belichick who? Bill Par“The Question” arose nearly a year ago when former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (left) announced he was leaving the team. Immediately, in some quarters a question arose: Was it Brady or head coach Bill Belichick (right) who was the main man in the dynasty? (Courtesy Photo) “The Question,” coming in on most charts at 1.72 seconds after Brady’s announcement (an undocumented report had it coming at 1.51 seconds) was, naturally, “Who was more important to the Patriots’ unprecedented two-decade dynasty of NFL dominance, Head Coach have even a modicum of faith, it is possible to imagine that lots of real Patriots fans could care less about “The Question.” In fact, they might find it more than mildly irritating that the line of “questioning” even exists. Take myself for instance. My Patriots roots come from the cells was soon regarded by many of us as the greatest coach in Boston sports history when he took over in the mid-1990s, bar none! For an entire generation, our life’s regret is that we did not purchase Patriots season tickets when they could still be had. After the Big Tuna’s first season, and people realized that there was something good on the way, forget about it. Bring on The Waiting List. So compared to the 70s, 80s and 90s, these past 20 years have been like going to Mardi Gras every fall season, for a lot of us around here. There are some kids born in the mid-1990s who know nothing else except Tom Brady and Bill Belichick... and winning – and winning Super Bowls. That brings us all the way back to “The Question.” So who was most important and “more responsible” for all the Patriots’ success? Can we have a big “Who cares?” I guarantee you most of us do not care one iota... and we bet you neither do TB12 and Bill Belichick. Once again, it is a media-driven exercise. Add in the keyboard warrior “fans” on Twitter and Facebook and you’ve got a party. So why all the fuss, anyway? Few people doubt that Brady is the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) quarterback and that Belichick is the GOAT NFL Head Coach. But in this society of intense, continual comparativeness, the media, and in turn a segment of our population, just have to anoint one of these fabulously successful mega-achievers with another title, with Gillette being “The House that (fill in the blank) Built.” Of course, many in this camp feel they already have their answer, with Tom Brady once again having a remarkable season that has brought him all the way back to his 10th Super Bowl game as a starting quarterback. He did it by going to the Tampa Buccaneers, a different team with a different head coach and a whole different (except Gronk) supporting cast. It is easy to see that the common denominator between the Super Bowl and Tom Brady is, well, Tom Brady. When you look back up north, however, you saw Brady’s former team, the Patriots, flounder and sputter to a 7-9 record and no playoffs for the first time in over a dozen years. But they had the same head coach. There, plain and simple: Bill Belichick can’t win without Tom Brady. Case closed. It had to have been Brady all along, right? Brady leaves and the Patriots go into the barrel. Stink, stank, stunk... just like the Grinch. But Brady? All he does is win, win, win, win, win, like the song says! Of course, it was Brady all along, all those years with the Patriots, right? He was the main reason the Patriots won all those games, right. Heck, Danny Amendola said it on Twitter on Tuesday: “When you look up The Patriot Way in the dictionary, Tom Brady’s picture will be sitting there, no other. None of those coaches caught or threw a touchdown pass, none of the coaches tackled anyone.” Well, if you are a true Patriots fan, all of this year-long talk had to bother you at least a little bit. What’s the purpose of whittling 20 years of joy, excitement, pride and goodwill about all they have accomplished into a two-man seesaw of fake one-upmanship? I remember being so excited in 1986 that I ran out and grossly overpaid for one of those $28 trucker hats for the AFC Champions when the Patriots made their first-ever Super Bowl. Yeah, they got smoked by the Bears, but by that time we were all still happy to be there and were far from devastated. But to win all these titles and see our personal Patriots gallery of heroes grow, yearafter-year – it has been more than a memorable and magical ride. So how about we all just cease listening to the “The Question,” sit back and root for those Tampa Bay Bucs and our former field general Tom Brady to keep adding to his limitless success and win another ring Sunday in Super Bowl LV? We bet you Bill Belichick will be kicking back somewhere doing the same. Thanks Tom, thanks Bill. Thanks for everything! It’s been a great bunch of years. We will be rooting for you both next year, too!

THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 Page 13 Three SHS Girls’ Varsity Basketball Sachems recognized during Senior Night The SHS Lady Sachems Girls’ Basketball team: kneeling: Captains/Forward Cat Schena #24, Forward Nicole Stewart #44, Guard Haley McLaughlin #10; back row: Assistant Coach Christopher Brablc, Guards Cassie Israelson #33, Samantha Shea #14, Ryann Maloney #15, April Aldred #2, Ashleigh Moore #4, Jessica Bremberg #23, Devany Millerick #5, Ana Silva #22, Fallon Millerick #1, Ashleen Escobar #11 and Head Coach Mark Schruender. By Tara Vocino T hree Girls’ Varsity Basketball seniors were honored during last Friday night’s Senior Night at the Saugus Middle High School gymnasium. Parents were presented flowers by seniors Capt. Cat Schena, Haley McLaughlin and Nicole Stewart on center court. In a separate interview, Head Coach Mark Schruender congratulated this senior class, particularly, for dealing with more adversity than any other class in his memory. “The girls basketball program has a Pyramid of Success, which illustrates 15 values that we try as a team to fulfill with the goal of getting the experience to transcend basketball,” Schruender said. “One of the values is toughness.” He described how each of these three players have each exhibited toughness in their own way this year by being grateful for what the season has given us instead of lamenting what it has not. “Nicole is injured and still helping us out by filming games and offering feedback,” Schruender said. “Haley’s sense of optimism has been instrumental when our team struggles and has setbacks. And Cat’s growth mindset to listen to feedback and apply it in games has rubbed off on younger players.” On Monday, seniors shared what challenges they faced. Stewart said sitting on the bench and not being able to WITH ROSES IN HAND, PROUD PARENTS: mom Julie, Forward Nicole Stewart #44 and father Richard. Stewart intends to major in physical therapy to, hopefully, become a physical therapist at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, N.H. WITH CONGRATULATORY FLOWERS: father Charles McLaughlin, Guard Haley McLaughlin #10 and mother Maureen. McLaughlin was admitted to Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina and Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, where she intends to study design and teaching. Head Coach Mark Schruender, middle center, addresses the team at halftime. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) play her senior year because of her hip injury has been one of her biggest challenges. “This team has always been a second family to me, and I was looking forward to playing my senior year,” Stewart said. “Even though I can’t be out on the court, I will still continue to support the team as much as I can.” Similarly, for McLaughlin, it wasn’t what she had expected, either, without a packed Senior/Guard Haley McLaughlin #10, second from right, played strong defense. (Photo Courtesy of Maureen McLaughlin) gym cheering the girls on. However, she is thankful to be playing, nevertheless. “It’s so hard, because I remember the other seniors years, [which] it’s not even close to ours,” McLaughlin said. “I still give 100 percent on the court, and I’m thankful for my team and coaches.” Schena said Covid-19 has affected both academics and SPORTS | SEE PAGE 15

Page 14 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 Five Boys’ Varsity Basketball Sachems honored during Senior Night F By Tara Vocino ive boys were honored during Saturday’s Senior Night at the Saugus Middle High School complex. Presented with flowers on center court were Sachem players Kyle McLaughlin, Co-Captain Myles Manalaysay, Co-Captain Mason Nickolas, forward Jason Casaletto and forward Oliver Frantz. “This year has been difficult for us for many reaBack row, from left to right: Assistant Coach William Cahill, Jason Casaletto #25, Donovan Clark #1, Tyrone Manderson #24, Co-Captain Mason Nickolas #14, Ryan Anderson #33, Ryan Mabee #23 and Head Coach Joseph Bertrand ’14. Front row, from left to right: Oliver Dorielan #44, Ben Tapia-Gately #4, Kyle McLaughlin #5, Co-Captain Myles Manalaysay #13 and Isaiah Garcia #32. sons,” Co-Head Coach Joseph Bertrand said. “The seniors have done a great job coming every day with a positive attitude and a drive to play hard, which has been huge for us.” The boys shared what challenges they faced their senior year in a separate interview on Tuesday. It was the loss of their coach Mark Bertrand, who died sudSenior Jason Casaletto played strong defense against the Winthrop Vikings. denly, that impacted them most. “This year has been hard as a senior: not going to school and the loss of our coach and it’s different with no fans and no tournament games,” McLaughlin said. “I hope we can finish the season with wins and get back to school soon.” Casaletto echoed a similar sentiment as McLaughlin. “The whole year has been challenging, from the BASKETBALL | SEE PAGE 15 Mother Deborah, Co-Captain/Forward Mason #14, and father Gregory Nickolas. Nickolas is undecided on his school of choice. PROUD FAMILY: From left: sister Madison, mom Tara, Sachem forward Jason and dad Jason Casaletto. His first choice is Endicott College in Beverly, Mass., to study education to, hopefully, become a high school teacher and basketball coach. Casaletto was also admitted to Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, Merrimack College in North Andover, Keene State College in New Hampshire, Salve Regina University in Rhode Island and St. Joseph’s College of Maine. PROUD FAMILY: twin sister Haley, mom, Maureen, Sachem guard Kyle and dad, Charles McLaughlin. He was accepted to Plymouth State University in New Hampshire and Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Mass., where he intends to study statistics and accounting. Father Frantz with Forward Oliver Dorielan #44. Dorielan intends to study computer technology at North Shore Community College in Lynn. Father Flynn Manalaysay with Co-Captain/Point Guard Myles Manalaysay; Manalaysay intends to study business at Westfield State University in Westfield, Mass., UMass Boston, Bunker Hill Community College or Great Bay Community College in New Hampshire. He intends to open his own business. Senior Oliver Dorielan, in center looked, for a pass during Saturday’s Senior Game at the Saugus Middle High School complex.

THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 Page 15 BASKETBALL | FROM PAGE 14 pandemic, to not experiencing what is supposed to be our most memorable year in high school, and then to lose Coach Bertrand,” Casaletto said. “Hopefully, the School Committee will let us back into school, like the surrounding towns and cities, so we can create some memories that we so looked forward to these last four years.” Sachems erupt for 8-3 win over Peabody By Greg Phipps T hrough five games the Saugus hockey team had already earned as many victories as it had all of last season. Last week, win number SPORTS | FROM PAGE 13 Beside the senior banner are Guard Kyle McLaughlin #5 and Co-Head Coaches Joseph Bertrand and William Cahill. Next to the senior banner are Forward Jason Casaletto #25 and Co-Head Coaches Joseph Bertrand and William Cahill. sports this year. “I think one of the biggest challenges is trying to keep not only myself but my peers, teammates and coaches mentally okay,” Schena said. “As a senior captain of both basketball and softball, I feel the responsibility of keeping the team together.” She added that she’s striving for the positive energy and fun times from sports since times are dark and difficult. Schruender added that it’s easy to take up a victim’s mentality in their position, but none of them have complained. Coaching seniors is always one of his favorite parts of being involved at this level. Although it’s not all roses. “It is also one of the hardest knowing that after many years (even before high school), two came at the expense of the Peabody Tanners when Saugus exploded for six unanswered goals in an eventual 8-3 triumph. Saugus actually trailed 3-2 before pouring in the next six scores, led by four tallies from Chris Regnetta and two each from Massey Ventre and Kevin McMaster. Goaltender Nick Divola turned aside 20 shots. The Sachems entered this week's action at 2-2-1. Beside their senior banners are Forward Haley McLaughlin #10, Head Coach Marc Schruender and Forward/Capt. Cat Schena #24. they are moving on,” Schruender said. “We’ll miss them, and I’m very thankful for their contributions and hope that their legacy serves future players.” Freshman Ashleen Escobar finished with a career high 7 points and was the team’s high scorer during last Friday’s game. They lost to the Beverly Panthers, 27-19. Office/Commercial Space for Lease By the senior banner are Co-Captain Mason Nickolas #14 and Co-Head Coaches Joseph Bertrand and William Cahill. By his senior banner are Co-Captain Myles Manalaysay #13 with Co-Head Coaches Joseph Bertrand and William Cahill. 3 Large rooms, each with walk-in storage area. Ideal for Law Office or Aerobics Studio. Like new condition. Second floor elevator direct to unit. Seperate entrances - New Baths - Large Parking Area. On MBTA Bus Route #429. Located on Route 1 South at Walnut Street. Rollerworld Plaza Rte. 1 South 425 Broadway Saugus Co-Captain Myles Manalaysay took a nice layup to the basket. (Courtesy photos, parent Maureen McLaughlin) Call Michelle at: 781-233-9507 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER FACEBOOK.COM/ADVOCATE.NEWS.MA

Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 The Savings Bank partners with Mass. banks to launch innovative financial literacy website for high schoolers W AKEFIELD – The Savings Bank and seven other local banks that have long supported financial literacy in Massachusetts public schools formed a partnership to bring a popular event to students beginning this spring, virtually. High school students throughout the Commonwealth will be able to participate in a Credit for Life Fair via a responsive website, creditforlife.org. Conceived to be part of a high school class, the site was designed by Stackpole & Partners of Newburyport, in collaboration with the Institution for Savings, Cape Cod 5, Bay Coast Bank, HarborOne Bank, The Savings Bank, Rockland Trust, Westfield Bank, Country Bank and FitMoney.org, a not-for-profit financial literacy organization. The Credit for Life Fair, a halfday event where high school students assume the roles of 25-year-old adults and spend their “paychecks” on everything they will need to live, has been a popular event in many Massachusetts public schools for more than a decade. Many banks and credit unions throughout the Commonwealth host these events, using local resources and volunteers, and the Massachusetts State Treasurer’s Office of Economic Empowerment has encouraged more fairs in recent years by making grants available to schools to participate. The pandemic brought most of these events to a halt. Organizers connected last summer to explore collaboration on a virtual experience in 2021 given the unlikelihood of large in-person events. They enlisted FitMoney, which had given support to fairs via its partnership with the New England Patriots’ Brandon CopeTHE SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 11 ple who have already purchased a brick. Any questions, please call 781-231-7995.” Side Door Pickup at the Saugus Public Library To help keep the building and staff warmer during the winter, the Saugus Public Library moved its Front Door Pickup service from Central Street to Taylor Street in mid-December. Patrons are required to place items on hold via the library’s online catalog and then, once notified that their item(s) are ready, schedule a pickup date. Pickup times remain the same: Tuesday: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday: 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. “In addition to the slight land, a passionate financial literacy advocate. The group expanded to include other banks that contributed funds for the design and implementation of the website, with FitMoney serving as the fiscal agent. “One fact we all agree on is that Credit for Life Fairs are among the most important and impactful events we do every year,” said President/CEO Bob DiBella of The Savings Bank, one of the founding sponsors. He continued, “With Massachusetts legislation enacted in 2019 authorizing financial literacy to be taught in public schools, we know educators will appreciate this type of program, and we thought, why not collaborate and deliver one common tool that all schools can use to teach the same lessons?” “Our long-term hope is that we can eventually go back to in-person fairs,” said former Massachusetts Bankers Association Senior Vice President David Floreen. “In the interim, this website is a tool that educators and others can use right now, with the support of banks and other community organizations. Teachers are being asked to do so much right now, and this is one way we think we can help.” Only six states in the country require high school students to take at least one semester-long personal finance class before graduating, according to Next Gen Personal Finance’s 20192020 progress report, and 15 more have personal finance in another course. The remaining states, more than half of the United States, don’t require students to have any personal finance education before graduating. Massachusetts is one of those states. In early 2019, Maschange in location, the library has made it easier for its patrons to retrieve their items. Instead of waiting for a librarian to place your item on the table, we’ll place all scheduled holds on a table in the Taylor Street hallway. All you’ll have to do is walk in (one at a time, please, and don’t forget to wear a mask!) and retrieve the bag with your name on it. The library also provides remote printing pickup and take & make crafts from the Taylor Street hallway. “And should you need assistance, a librarian will be standing by near the hallway to help. “Fast, simple, and easy!” For more info, visit http://www. sauguspubliclibrary.org. Let’s hear it! Got an idea, passing thought or gripe you would like to share sachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed legislation that allows state education officials to establish standards around financial literacy, which schools could incorporate into their existing curricula in subjects like math, business and social sciences; however, progress on this initiative has been hampered given the severe constraints put on schools by the pandemic. “I have a deep respect for today’s students as they navigate this challenging academic year,” said Brandon Copeland. He is well-known in the NFL for his passion for financial literacy and when not on the turf teaches a class at University of Pennsylvania called “Life 101” focusing on this very subject. He continued, “I have no doubt they will make us proud as tomorrow’s leaders. Financial literacy is one of the most important subjects students can learn today, especially as we work to level the playing field for all our kids. Let’s continue our efforts together so our students will become financially savvy and responsible young adults.” The website development is in its final stages and will be beta tested by a group of educators and others this month. By the end of March, the participating banks expect to have the site ready for use by high schools and others. The group is also in the process of establishing a 501(c) (3) that will allow it to raise funds and plan for future school financial literacy initiatives like creditforlife.org. The Savings Bank is a long-standing supporter of financial literacy in schools. The Bank has been a past participant in various Credit for Life Fairs, including those in Wakefield, Lynwith The Saugus Advocate? I’m always interested in your feedback. It’s been nearly five years since I began work at The Saugus Advocate. I’m always interested in hearing readers’ suggestions for possible stories or good candidates for “The Advocate Asks” interview of the week. Feel free to email me at mvoge@comcast.net. Do you have some interesting views on an issue that you want to express to the community? Submit your idea. If I like it, we can meet for a 15- to 20-minute interview while practicing social distancing outside a local coffee shop. And I’ll buy the coffee. Or, if you prefer to be interviewed from the safety of your home on the phone or via email, I will provide that option to you as the nation copes with the Coronavirus crisis. nfield, North Reading, Andover and Methuen. The Bank also sponsors a student-run bank branch located at Wakefield High School and has supported financial literacy at the elementary school level as well. For more information and to learn how schools and organizations can participate, email www.tsbawake24.com or info@creditforlife.org. Established in 1869, The Savings Bank, which is headquarCOVID-19 | FROM PAGE 1 Even though the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Saugus continues to drop, local health officials are worried that the public is suffering from COVID-19 fatigue and tired of following the social distancing and mask protocols set by Gov. Charlie Baker. They are also concerned that the public doesn’t fully understand the process and timetable for receiving vaccines. People who are 75 and older in Massachusetts are getting their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. But except for first responders – like police, firefighters, health care workers and emergency personnel – and nursing home residents, the vaccine hasn’t been readily available to town residents. “How can we get the word out to wear masks,” nurse Teresa Riley-Singh asked. She also wondered whether it would be possible to display signs or banners reminding people that they need to wear their masks. Board of Health Chair William Heffernan noted that there’s a lot of frustration among people who are fatigued by the COVID-19 rules, but he agreed that the board needs to take steps to keep the public to beware of the virus. “Let’s be vigilant and try to get rid of it,” Heffernan said. “This is not going away any time soon.” Heffernan added that people are wondering if a vaccine is going to be available. “My mother yelled at me today, ‘How do I get my vaccination?’” Heffernan said. Fralick told the board that he wishes state officials would give local authorities more advance notice on the COVID-19-related matters, particularly the availability of the vaccine. “We’re getting tered in Wakefield, Mass., is a $660 million community bank with eight offices in Wakefield, Lynnfield, North Reading, Andover and Methuen, plus the 1st Educational Savings Branch at Wakefield High School, the first student-run branch in the nation. The Bank operates the Donald E. Garrant Foundation charitable foundation to support financial literacy in public and private schools [K-12] and nonprofits. notification at the same time as the general public,” Fralick said. “It’s a logistical thing that unfortunately we have to deal with right now.” Heffernan said he doesn’t think the entire general public would be vaccinated until the summer. “This thing is just a nightmare,” Heffernan said. He suggested the message to the public right now should be “we’re beholding to the rules of the state.” “I think we’ve seen the challenges of the rollout,” he said. “People are clamoring for these vaccines and we’re beholding to what the Baker administration gives up,” Heffernan said. “We need to work within the confines of the state. That’s all we can do,” he said. Board of Health Member Maria Tamagna said Saugus residents should not be waiting for a local clinic and, instead, should be trying to go online and register at any available regional clinic in the area. Public Health Nurse Mary McKenzie noted that a lot of people who are 75 and older are not computer literate and live alone and don’t have children around who could assist them. McKenzie also questioned why some people who were less a priority than the people 75 years old recently received the vaccine. Fralick told MacKenzie that 10 doses were administered to “front line workers,” because there wasn’t anywhere to store the vaccine. “We just couldn’t lose any vaccine. It was something we had to make a call on,” he said. Heffernan lamented that he wished he had a million doses of the vaccine to distribute among town residents. “If I could vaccinate the entire town and every municipality that touches Saugus, I’d authorize that today,” Heffernan said.

THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 Page 17 Boys nail down Senior Day win P By Greg Phipps laying in their brand-new home gymnasium and celebrating Senior Day, the Saugus High School boys’ basketball team earned its first victory of the season by trouncing Winthrop, 81-45, last Saturday in Northeastern Conference action. The victory left the Sachems with a 1-4 record entering this week’s play. Senior players honored Saturday were Myles Manalaysay, Mason Nickolas, Jason Casaletto, Oliver Dorielan and Kyle McLaughlin. Manalaysay turned out to be the biggest weapon offensively by pouring in 24 points. He was followed by junior Tyrone Manderson with nine. The other seniors hitting the scoring sheet were Nickolas with eight points; McLaughlin, six; Casaletto, five; and Dorielan, four. Manderson also grabbed seven rebounds and blocked six shots, and Nickolas added seven boards. Undergraduates Donovan Clark and Ben Tapia-Gately combined for 14 points. “I told the guys that as seniors you always want to leave the program better than when you found it,” co-Head Coach Joe Bertrand told the press after the win. “While that’s tough to do in a season like this, I think the way these guys have persevered through all of this and still come in every day with a positive attitude and a drive to play hard has been huge for this team.” Bertrand has taken over the head coaching duties from his father, Mark, who passed away recently. Bertrand is sharing the head coaching role with Bill Cahill this winter. Saugus pulled ahead 22-13 after one quarter and only increased the advantage from there. The nine-point edge was built to 25 by the middle of the second quarter and ended at 30 (49-19) by halftime. The team was able to give its bench and reserve players some quality playing time. All 11 members of the team saw minutes. “With everybody getting some time in the game, we were able to give some of our younger guys a chance to step up and show what they’re made of,” said Bertrand. “They all took advantage of that opportunity and really played well out there.” Girls drop low-scoring Senior Night tussle Sporting a squad of mostly undergraduates in 2021, the Saugus girls’ basketball team honored its three senior representatives before last Friday night’s 27-19 loss to Beverly. Cat Schena, Haley McLaughlin and Nicole Stuart, who is missing the season due to an injury, were recognized. The Lady Sachems were still looking for their first victory of the season enterresponse was great after a ing this week’s action. Head coach Mark Schruender told the press after the Senior Night defeat that the team’s tough loss the night before. “With two minutes to go, we were down by four so it could’ve gone either way,” he said. “It was a step in the right direction.” This week on Saugus TV Sunday, February 7 from 9 to 11 p.m. on Channel 8 – “Sunday Night Stooges” (The Three Stooges). Monday, February 8 all day on Channel 8 – “Movie Monday” (classic movies). Tuesday, February 9 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 22 – SHS Girls Basketball vs. Masconomet from February 5. Wednesday, February 10 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 9 – Planning Board Meeting from February 4. Thursday, February 11 at 7 p.m. on Channel 9 – Planning Board Meeting ***live***. Friday, February 12 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 9 – Board of Health Meeting from February 1. Saturday, February 13 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 22 – SHS Hockey vs. Swampscott from February 6. Saugus TV can be seen on Comcast Channels 8, 9 & 22 (Public, Governmental and Educational). For complete schedules, please visit www.saugustv.org. ***programming may change without notice***

Page 18 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen With today’s edition, The Saugus Advocate begins coverage of the roll call votes of local legislators in the 2021 Massachusetts legislative session with our weekly Beacon Hill Roll Call report. This feature is a clear and concise compilation of the voting records of local state representatives and senators. Beacon Hill Roll Call provides an unbiased summary of bills and amendments, arguments from floor debate on both sides of the issue and each legislator’s vote or lack of vote on the matter. This information gives readers an opportunity to monitor their elected officials’ actions on Beacon Hill. Many bills are reported on in their early stages, giving readers the opportunity to contact their legislators and express an opinion prior to the measure being brought up for final action. The feature “Also Up on Beacon Hill” informs readers of other important matters at the Statehouse. Beacon Hill Roll Call is written and provided by Owner/Publisher Bob Katzen who hosts a fun and light Boston radio talk show on WMEX Radio 1510 AM and online. Bob has been providing this feature to hundreds of newspapers across the Bay State for 46 years—since 1975. He claims he is still young and was only two years old when he started the business. Fun Fact: Bob invented the “Bagel Route” when he was a mere 10 years old. It’s like a paper route, but Bob took pre-orders from neighbors and delivered fresh bagels and cream cheese every Sunday morning. A note from Bob Katzen, Publisher of Beacon Hill Roll Call: My guest on Sunday, February 7 on my WMEX 1510 AM Radio and online show will be Jay Gordon, a nationally known Elvis expert who hosted a renowned weekly nationally syndicated radio show titled “Elvis Only.” The show was all about the music and life of the King of rock ’n’ roll. Jay was also a disc jockey at the former Oldies 103 Radio, WZLX and many other Boston radio stations. His knowledge about and love for Elvis is unsurpassed. There are many ways you can listen to the show from anywhere in the world: If you have a smart speaker, simply say, “Play WMEX on RADIO.COM” Download the free RADIO.COM app on your phone or tablet Listen online at: www.radio. com/1510wmex/listen Tune into 1510 AM if you still have an AM radio Visit us at www.bobkatzenshow. com THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ votes on a roll call from the week of January 25-29. There were no roll calls in the Senate last week. CLIMATE CHANGE (S 9) House 144-14, Senate on a voice vote without a roll call, approved and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker a 57page climate change bill. A key section makes the state’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal net zero by 2050. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Mike Barrett (D-Cambridge) and Rep. Thomas Golden (D-Lowell) who led the successful charge for legislative approval of the legislation for several months in 2020. An identical measure had passed the House 145-9 and the Senate 38-2 in 2020—margins that were large enough for the Legislature to easily override any gubernatorial veto. But it was too late for that. The 2020 Legislature ended on January 5 and under legislative rules, any vetoes made, or amendments proposed, by the governor after that time could not go back to the Legislature for an override or consideration. So the bill died on the governor’s desk. “While I support the bill’s goals and am largely in agreement with many of its proposals, 35 hours was not enough time to review and suggest amendments to such complex legislation,” said Baker in his message. “Had this bill been presented to me with more time while the Legislature was still in session, I would have returned it with amendments to address the concerns. Unfortunately, because the Legislature has adjourned, I do not have that option, and therefore, reluctantly, I cannot sign the legislation as currently written.” “The Massachusetts economy is just beginning to recover from the pandemic downturn caused by the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19,” Baker continued. “As we are all learning what the future will hold, I have concerns about the impacts portions of this bill will have for large sectors of the economy.” Other provisions in the measure codify environmental justice provisions into Massachusetts law by defining environmental justice populations and providing new tools and protections for affected neighborhoods; provide $12 million in annual funding for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to create a pathway to the clean energy industry for environmental justice populations and minority-owned and women-owned businesses; require an additional 2,400 megawatts of offshore wind and increase the state’s total authorization to 5,600 megawatts; set appliance energy efficiency standards for a variety of common appliances including plumbing, faucets, computers and commercial appliances and set benchmarks for the adoption of clean energy technologies including electric vehicles, charging stations, solar technology, energy storage and heat pumps. “If not for the initiative and resolve of Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spilka … the bill would not have been before the Legislature in the first month of the 2021-2022 session,” said Rep. Tom Golden (D-Lowell), House Chair of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “I am beyond proud to have once again voted with my colleagues on this path-breaking legislation and I look forward to continued collaboration to make it law and propel the commonwealth towards its clean energy future.” “I believe it’s our collective responsibility to be good stewards of the environment and empower entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions for cleaner energy production,” said Rep. Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick). “Unfortunately, this climate bill is another example of the political class implementing mandates that hurt the poor and middle class. A housing market that is already out of reach for many will become even more inaccessible. The cost of everyday goods will increase. Being good stewards of our environment does not need to come at such high cost, hurting the most vulnerable.” “By sending last session’s climate bill back to Gov. Baker’s desk, the House and Senate have taken an important step forward, but further action is needed to ensure a safe, healthy future,” said Ben Hellerstein, State Director for Environment Massachusetts. “Let’s clear the decks of last session’s business by passing this bill into law, and then let’s turn our attention to the other important climate policies awaiting action. Here’s hoping 2021 is the year Massachusetts sets its sights on 100 percent renewable energy.” “I am an advocate for protecting the environment, but we need a commonsense approach,” said newly-elected Rep. Kelly Pease (R-Westfield). “There needs to be a balance between becoming greener and protecting our businesses and economy. Reducing emissions by 40 percent instead of 50 percent by 2030 would have less of an impact on businesses and our economy and still allow us to reach our goals by 2050. There are a few issues with the current bill that need to be addressed so it will not be cost prohibitive for businesses and families while moving forward to a more environmentally friendly commonwealth.” “Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN) applauds the Legislature for taking leadership on quickly returning the … bill to the governor [who] now has the opportunity to pass the most progressive piece of climate legislation in Massachusetts in over a decade,” said Rebecca Winterich-Knox, The Better Buildings Campaign Director of MCAN. “We urge the governor to sign the … bill into law without amendment at once. We will not be able to address our climate, health and housing crises without it.” “It’s a critical step in maintaining our position of national leadership and executing a green and equitable economic recovery,” said Environmental League of Massachusetts President Elizabeth Turnbull Henry. “We urge the administration and Legislature to quickly resolve differences and enact a law that reflects the scale and urgency of the climate crisis we face.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Donald Wong Yes HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of January 2529, the House met for a total of two hours and 43 minutes while the Senate met for a total of four hours and 45 minutes. Mon. January 25 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:44 a.m. Senate 11:21 a.m. to 11:32 a.m. Tues. January 26 No House session No Senate session. Wed. January 27 House 10:46 a.m. to 11:24 a.m. No Senate session Thurs. January 28 House 2:13 p.m. to 3:35 p.m. Senate 11:13 a.m. to 3:47 p.m. Fri. January 29 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com

THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 Page 19 GARDENS | FROM PAGE 8 1. On Feb. 5, 1852, the Hermitage Museum, the second largest museum in the world, opened to the public in what city? 2. What flag has a red background and five gold stars? 3. What sister of Dante Gabriel Rossetti wrote the lines “On the wind in February / Snowflakes float still, Half inclined to turn to rain, Nipping, dripping, chill”? 4. What two women are on U.S. one dollar coins? 5. On Feb. 6, 1788, what did Massachusetts ratify? 6. What American steel industrialist/philanthropist owned Skibo Castle in Scotland? 7. This year Merriam-Webster added what words to mean “an attractive middle-aged man having mostly gray or white hair”? 8. What game show has won the most awards of U.S. game shows? 9. On Feb. 7, 1812, what author was born who later wrote “Sketches by ‘Boz,’ Illustrative of Every-day Life and Every-day People”? 10. What team playing in this year’s Super Bowl also played at the first Super Bowl in 1967? 11. How are “Running Fence” in California, “The Gates” in Central Park and “Valley Curtain” in Colorado similar? 12. “The Star-Spangled Banner” has been performed at every Super Bowl except in 1977, when Vikki Carr sang what in its place? 13. A Reuben sandwich usually has what cheese? 14. On Feb. 8, 1971, what stock market index first opened? 15. What is Afghanistan’s capital? 16. February 9 is National Pizza Day; Moose’s Tooth Pub & Pizzeria is the nation’s highest grossing independent single-unit pizzeria; in what state is it? 17. The Beatles covered what song by The Marvelettes that was the first Motown song to be a number one hot pop single? 18. On Feb. 10, 1961, the Western world’s then largest hydroelectric project officially opened where? 19. How are Champ, Grendel and sphinx similar? 20. On Feb. 11, 1812, Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry was accused of gerrymandering; what words were used to create that term? ANSWERS needles in a bundle is an important identification feature when trying to distinguish one pine species from another. No other eastern native pines have this number of needles, but there are several western native species, including Rocky Mountain white pine (Pinus flexilis) and the huge coned sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana), that also have five needles. Compared to those of many other pine species, white pine needles are long and flexible. Fresh needles bend quite bit before they will break, while many other pine needles snap. Even from a distance, white pine needles look feathery compared to the stiffness of red pine (Pinus resinosa) and most other pines, both native and introduced, which are commonly planted in this area. A large percentage of the tree’s needles are shed every fall even though the tree is evergreen. Each needle only remains on LEGISLATURE | FROM PAGE 7 Barrett (D-Lexington), who is Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. “This bill is our chance to get back on track and stay there. It’s ambitious but balanced, and the most important piece of climate legislation to come before us since 2008. Tip of the hat to President Spilka and Speaker Mariano for putting us back to work on climate immediately. Because of them, the legislation’s odds of ultimate success are excellent.” “If not for the initiative and resolve of Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spilka, the Next-Generation Roadmap bill would not have been before the Legislature in the first month of the 2021-2022 session,” said Representative Thomas Golden, Jr. (D-Lowell), who is Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. “I am beyond proud to have once again voted with my colleagues on this path-breaking legislation and I look forward to continued collaboration to make it law and propel the Commonwealth towards its clean energy future.” The bill sets a 2050 net-zero greenhouse gas emissions limit, as well as statewide limits every five years; increases the requirements for offshore wind energy procurement bringing the statewide total authorization to 5,600 megawatts; requires emission reduction goals for Mass Save, the state’s energy efficiency program; the tree a year and a half. The needles begin to accumulate under the trees and form a natural mulch, which discourages other competing plants from growing under the trees. “Pine straw” is in fact a very effective mulch for plants which like acidic growing conditions. The cones are also a helpful identifying feature – they are curved and asymmetrical, unlike the relatively symmetrical cones of other pines. They are the largest cones of New England pines, 4-6" long. The seeds are eaten by many bird species, but also by small animals, like red squirrels and rabbits, and even very large animals, such as bears. They are also very useful at sheltering wildlife from wind and cold. In the 1930’s, white pine blister rust was a significant threat to white pine. This fungus requires an alternate host, currants and gooseberries (Ribes spp.), before it can inand, for the first time, establishes the criteria in statute that define EJ populations. The legislation also increases support for clean energy workforce development programs, including those targeting low-income communities, and improves gas pipeline safety. The legislation includes, among other items, the following provisions. • Sets a statewide net-zero limit on greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and mandates emissions limits every five years, as well as limits for specific sectors of the economy, including transportation and buildings • Codifies EJ provisions into Massachusetts law, defining EJ populations and providing new tools and protections for affected neighborhoods • Requires an additional 2,400 megawatts of offshore wind, building on previous legislation action, and increases the total authorization to 5,600 megawatts in the Commonwealth • Directs the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), regulator of the state's electric and natural gas utilities, to balance priorities going forward: system safety and security, reliability, affordability, equity and, significantly, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions • Sets appliance energy efficiency standards for a variety of common appliances, including plumbing, faucets, computers and commercial appliances • Adopts several measures aimed at improving gas pipeline safety, including increased fect the pines, so these fruiting shrubs were made illegal in many areas. Today it is still illegal to grow them in some towns, although disease resistant gooseberries are available and it is no longer a significant threat to the pines. They are still prohibited in some nearby towns, including Wenham and Topsfield. They are allowed in Saugus, but it is still necessary to get a permit from the Massachusetts Dept. of Food and Agriculture. Editor’s Note: Laura Eisener is a landscape design consultant who helps homeowners with landscape design, plant selection and placement of trees and shrubs as well as perennials. She is a member of the Saugus Garden Club and offered to write a series of articles about “what’s blooming in town, since so many people have taken to walking the streets in their neighborhoods as a way to get some exercise and get out of the house” during the global pandemic. fines for safety violations and regulations related to training and certifying utility contractors • Increases the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by 3 percent each year from 2025– 2029, resulting in 40 percent renewable energy by 2030 • Establishes an opt-in municipal net-zero energy stretch code, including a definition of “net-zero building” • Prioritizes equitable access to the state’s solar programs by low-income communities • Establishes $12 million in annual funding for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center in order to create a pathway to the clean energy industry for EJ populations and minority- and women-owned businesses • Provides solar incentives for businesses by exempting them from the net metering cap to allow them to install solar systems on their premises to help offset their electricity use and save money • Requires utilities to include an explicit value for greenhouse gas reductions when they calculate the cost-effectiveness of an offering of Mass Save • Creates a first-time greenhouse gas emissions standard for municipal lighting plants that requires them to purchase 50 percent non-emitting electricity by 2030 and “net-zero” by 2050 • Sets benchmarks for the adoption of clean energy technologies, including electric vehicles, charging stations, solar technology, energy storage, heat pumps and anaerobic digestor 1. St. Petersburg, Russia 2. China’s 3. Christina Georgina Rossetti 4. Sacagawea and Susan B. Anthony 5. The United States Constitution 6. Andrew Carnegie 7. Silver fox 8. Jeopardy! 9. Charles Dickens 10. The Kansas City Chiefs 11. They are monumental fabric art pieces by Christo. 12. “America the Beautiful” 13. Swiss 14. The National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) 15. Kabul 16. Alaska (Anchorage) 17. “Please Mr. Postman” 18. Niagara Falls 19. They are fictional monsters (in Lake Champlain, Vt., the poem “Beowulf” and ancient mythology, respectively) 20. His last name and salamander (In a political cartoon, the shape of an Essex County district was compared to the creature.)

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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 Page 21 DERUOSI | FROM PAGE 2 conducts an effective search process and what it will cost. The committee received bids from three companies, with the cost ranging $12,000 to $15,000. NESDEC is the firm ASKS | FROM PAGE 4 ple at its peak. We had anywhere from 10 to 21 at any one time. There were guys from my troop, friends at school, former troop members and leaders and camp staff as well. The people who helped out included Dom Imbrogna, Colin Wildman, Hayden Clark, Ryan Bothat consulted a 21-member search committee in a process that eventually led to DeRuosi’s appointment nearly five years ago. But because of the nature of recent public meetings being conducted via Zoom vidnia, John Acres, Matt Royal, Matt Schwarze, Pat Lee, Hugh Lynch, Richard Reynolds, Josh Beddingfield, Tristan Donovan, Mike Bonia, Stephen Guarino, Evan Segal, Glen Woodworth and Sandra Woodworth Once I got started, I didn’t know what to expect. It was a little bit tricky, but It was a good thing I had Mike Bonia there. eo conferencing, it is unlikely that the School Committee would select a panel that large, according to committee members. Fischer serves as chair of the yet-to-be-named superintendent search panel. School He’s a troop leader who is involved in construction. Q: When is your Eagle Scout Court of Honor? A: Sometime later in the year. There are only four of us in the troop now, and three more are going to be getting Eagle – Colin Wildman, Dominic Imbrogna and Michael Kallelis – so I think the troop will wait to hold it after everyone has made Eagle. Q: What do you plan to do after graduation? A: I plan to go to work after high school in the construction field with Mike Bonia, who is a troop leader. Q: And what becomes of Troop 61 after its four members reach Eagle? A: We haven’t had any new members join in a few years. Committee Member Joseph “Dennis” Gould will serve as vice chair of the search panel. But all members are expected to participate. School Committee Member Arthur Grabowski, who was involved in the search proI want to see if we can turn the troop into a Venturing – a Scouting program that is more focused with the older scouts, cess and the eventual committee vote to hire DeRuosi more than four and a half years ago, stressed that the committee already has somewhat of a blueprint that will guide members in the search and hiring of the next superintendent. from 14 up to 21. It’s something that might happen so we can reach an older group of kids: young men and women. Space for Lease 3 Large Rooms, each with Large Walk-in Storage Area. or Aerobics Studio. Located at Route 1 South at Walnut Street. Rollerworld Plaza, Route 1 South, 425 Broadway, Saugus. Call Michelle at: 781-233-9507

Page 22 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 “YOUR FINANCIAL FOCUS” JOSEPH D. CATALDO RECOVERY REBATE CREDIT owe the IRS. The Recovery Rebate CredT he Recovery Rebate Credit was authorized by the CARES act and the related COVID-related Tax Relief Act. It is a tax credit to be applied towards your 2020 federal income tax. It will serve to either increase your federal refund or reduce the amount that you it was eligible to be paid in two rounds of advance payments during 2020 and 2021. These advance payments are referred to as the first and second Economic Impact Payments. Taxpayers that received the full amount of both Economic Impact Payments do not need to complete any information about the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2020 income tax return. Your first economic impact payment would have been $1,200 ($2,400 if married filing jointly) plus $500 for each qualifying child you had in 2020. Your second economic impact payment would have been $600 ($1,200 if married filing jointly) plus $600 for each qualifying child you had in 2020. A qualifying child must have been under the age of 17. To determine if you are eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit, complete the Recovery Rebate Worksheet in the instructions for Form 1040 or Form 1040-R. You would not be eligible if you received the full amount of the first and second Economic Impact Payments. You are not eligible for the tax credit if you are claimed as a dependent on another’s tax return. You must file Form 1040 or Form 1040-R in order to claim the credit, even you are otherwise not required to file a tax return. Your Recovery Rebate Credit will be entirely phased out if your adjusted gross income exceeds $150,000 if you are married filing jointly, $112,500 if you are filing as head of household, and $75,000 if you are filing single. You should have received IRS Notice 1444 for the first Economic Impact Payment and Notice 1444-B for the second Economic Impact Payment. Refer to them when completing your tax return or provide to your tax preparer. This is necessary in order to determine what advance payments were actually received and what, if any, tax credit you are entitled to on your 2020 federal income tax return. Taxpayers with an account on the IRS.gov/account website will be able to view the amounts of the Economic Impact payments already received. You may also need your 2019 adjusted gross income figure in order to complete the worksheet. Copyrighted material previously published in Banker & Tradesman/The Commercial Record, a weekly trade newspaper. It is reprinted with permission from the publisher, The Warren Group. For a searchable database of real estate transactions and property information visit: www.thewarrengroup.com. BUYER1 REAL ESTATE TRANSAC TIONS SELLER1 BUYER2 Sherlock, Ashley M Gonzalez, Osvaldo DeValdivieso, Joamy B Belluscio, Alexis M Sherlock, John B Molina, Maria I Valdivieso, Alex J Lyon, Maxwell T Elliott, Dolores J Guarente, Aimee M 30 Newhall Street LLC Celsus LLC SELLER2 ADDRESS 491 Central St 325 Lincoln Ave 30-1/2 Newhall St 3 Golden Hills Rd CITY Saugus Saugus Saugus Saugus DATE 15.01.2021 15.01.2021 12.01.2021 11.01.2021 PRICE $565 000,00 $515 000,00 $775 000,00 $435 000,00

THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 Page 23 Follow Us On: COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SALES & RENTALS Sandy Juliano Broker/President A chill is in the air but Everett house prices are still Hot. Call today to learn the value of your home! WE KNOW EVERETT!! Call TODAY to sell or buy with the best! NEW LISTING BY SANDY UNDER AGREEMENT! SINGLE FAMILY SOLD! 40 EASTERN AVE., REVERE $464,888 3 BEDROOM SINGLE 158 GROVER ST., EVERETT $589,900 NEW LISTING BY NORMA TWO FAMILY 45-47 SYCAMORE ST., EVERETT $724,900 NEW LISTING BY MARIA TWO FAMILY, EVERETT COMING SOON! NEW COMMERCIAL LISTING SQUIRE RD., REVERE $1,300,000 LISTED BY ROSEMARIE CHELSEA RENTAL 3 BEDROOMS, 2ND FLOOR AVAILABLE NOW PLEASE CALL MARIA FOR DETAILS 781-808-6877 EVERETT RENTAL 2 BEDROOMS MOVE IN CONDITION COMMERCIAL BUILDING 14,000 SQ FT LOT SQUIRE RD., REVERE $1,700,000 PLEASE CALL NORMA FOR DETAILS 617-590-9143 SOLD! 17 EVELYN RD., EVERETT $519,900 25 HAWKES ST., SAUGUS NEW PRICE! $434,900 LISTED BY NORMA SOLD! Open Daily From 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. 433 Broadway, Suite B, Everett, MA 02149 Open Daily From 10:0 Joe DiNuzzo - Broker Associate :0 00 AM 5:00 PM www.jrs-properties.com Follow Us On: 617.544.6274 Norma Capuano Parziale - Agent Denise Matarazz - Agent Maria Scrima - Agent Rosemarie Ciampi - Agent Michael Matarazzo -Agent Mark Sachetta - Agent

Page 24 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021        Kasey Khloe Littlefield Real Estate

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