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.”
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