Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, February 14, 2020 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS By Mark Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. The Open Meeting Law sham Is it just me or does it bother anyone that while state Attorney General Maura Healey’s office is cranking out press releases galore on out-of-state global issues, her office is failing miserably on enforcement of the state Open Meeting Law. We ran a story last week that pointed out an average sixthmonth delay in responses by the AG’s Division of Open Government in resolving complaints. And in a review of the annual reports over the last six years, I learned that average delay is about double. For several years, the response time for resolutions was 90 days or under. Perhaps if the attorney general was more interested in bolstering the Division of Open Government instead of chasing headlines out-of-state and across the country to enhance her national image, maybe there wouldn’t be a six-month delay. Once again, I only see two solutions. Some open governmentminded legislators should initiate some measures to return enforcement of the Open Meeting Law back to the respective district attorney officers where one prosecutor had the duty of enforcement of the law in his or her respective county. I remember it well when the Essex County District Attorney’s Office had a prosecutor responding to complaints. The response time was more like days and weeks instead of months for resolution. The second solution and perhaps easiest is for voters in their communities to persuade local public officials to embrace open government, make sure citizens and office holders are wellversed on the laws and follow them. Since the November elections, I see a little more interest by selectmen and the School Committee in making sure Open Government is followed. The only way to guarantee that is to impress elected officials during their respective political campaigns that citizens expect to see a more transparent and accessible local government. That would certainly help to fill a void left by a lack of enforcement (or a lack of resources for good enforcement) at the state level. Stay tuned for more. A chance to author articles Citizens of Saugus who are interested in submitting articles to be included on the warrant for this year’s May 4 Annual Town Meeting still have plenty of time. The Saugus Board of Selectmen have announced they will close the Annual Town Meeting Warrant at their April 7 regular meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. in the second floor auditorium at Town Hall. Anyone who has an article to be inserted into the Annual Town Meeting Warrant may submit the Article with appropriate number of signatures to the Selectmen’s Office or may bring it to the April 7 meeting. For more information you may contact the Selectmen’s Office at (781) 231-4124 or wreed@saugus-ma.gov. A “shout-out” for the reader who swayed selectmen There’s that old adage that tells us that every vote counts. And the new Board of Selectmen are certainly paying attention to that early in their two-year terms. Ellen Santosuosso, one of the town’s poll workers and a conscientious reader, emailed me to make sure I was aware that a citizen input meeting happened to be scheduled on the same night as the March 3 Massachusetts Presidential Primary. She expressed concerns that it was poor planning on the board’s part to schedule the meeting that night. Well, to be fair about, it didn’t dawn on me during the meeting that selectmen picked the date that there was a possible conflict. So, I’m sure it wasn’t something selectmen thought about either. But they read Ellen’s letter-to-the editor and apparently agreed that it would be better to have the citizen input session on another night. That’s a very considerate response by the members of this board. Even if it’s just one person who feels he or she is being left out of the process, it’s the wise board that takes steps to address those concerns. So, how about a “shout-out” for the board members, too? It’s easy in local government to ignore the quiet, solitary voices. Hopefully, Ellen Santosuosso and others who were affected by the scheduling conflict plan on making their ideas and suggestions on goals for Saugus at the Feb. 25th meeting, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of Town Hall, 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. A time for citizen input Saugus residents who believe they have the answers for straightening out Town Hall have a chance to sound off to an audience of Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and the Board of Selectmen at a workshop session set for 6 p.m., March 3 in the first floor conference room at Saugus Town Hall. “We’re hoping that a lot of the public gets involved and gives input,” Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Corinne Riley said at Tuesday night’s board meeting. “We hope to have a lot of people there to let us know what you think.” Residents who attend the workshop will be able to comment on what the town manager and selectmen recommend as top goals and projects. Here is a chance for citizens to chime in on what they see as to the future of Saugus. Early primary voting There will be Early Voting for five days only for the upcoming March 3, 2020, Presidential Primary Election. The dates for Early Voting are Monday, February 24 through Friday, February 28. Early Voting will take place in the Town Clerk’s Office during regular Town Hall hours: Monday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Absentee Voting will remain the same as in all past elections. Dog Days are here The new 2020 Dog Licenses are now available in the Town Clerk’s Office. Must have a copy of the Rabies Certificate to license your dog or use the new web portal: https://nextpetls. gopetie.com/somerville.massachusetts/login. A chance to serve your town The Saugus Board of Selectmen is accepting applications for appointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Library Board of Trustees in Saugus. These are volunteer/non-paid positions for Saugus residents. Those interested may submit a letter of interest/resume no later than March 17, 2020, to: Saugus Board of Selectmen Saugus Town Hall 298 Central Street #4 Town offers Civilians Police Academy next month (Editor’s Note: Saugus Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s Office issued the following info this week.) Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and Interim Saugus Police Chief Ronald Giorgetti are pleased to announce that the Police Department is now accepting applications for the Civilian Police Academy, a free eight-week program designed to give residents an idea of what it’s like to be a local police officer. The Civilian Police Academy allows residents to learn a great deal about all aspects of police work and leave with a true representation of life as a police officer. During the course, residents will have the opportunity to learn about patrol procedures, juvenile and drug problems, firearm safety and awareness, recruit and continuing training, use of force, defensive tactics and many other subjects relevant to police work. The Academy will also include a police ride-along and a tour of the Middleton House of Correction. “We are proud to offer this free program to the residents of Saugus and to give them the opportunity to gather insight into what it’s like to be a police officer in Saugus,” said Town Manager Crabtree. “This is a fantastic opportunity for citizens to learn about all aspects of police work and leave with a true representation of services provided by the Saugus Police Department and Town,” said Interim Police Chief Giorgetti. Interested residents who are 18 years or older should complete an application, which can be accessed at www.sauguspd. com under the “Forms” tab. All applications should be either delivered by hand to the front desk of the Police Station at 27 Hamilton St. in Saugus or emailed to pvansteensburg@sauguspd.com no later than Wednesday, February 19, 2020. The Academy begins on Wednesday evening, March 4, 2020, and will continue each Wednesday evening for eight weeks. For more information, residents should contact Detective Sergeant Paul VanSteensburg at 781-941-1105. Breakfast at Legion Hall Cpl. Scott J. Procopio Saugus American Legion Post 210 has begun its seventh year of Friday morning breakfasts. The doors open at 7:30 a.m. at 44 Taylor St. in Saugus. Breakfast will be served from 8 to 9 a.m. The breakfasts will run through the end of May, with the exception of school vacations or Fridays when there is no school. A $6 donation is requested, with all proceeds going to help the Legion operate. Everyone is welcome, according to John Cannon, the cook on duty. There is no charge for World War II veterans. Main attractions at the Saugus Public Library There’s always something interesting or entertaining going on at the Saugus Public Library – for people of all ages – from young children to senior citizens. Here are a few events to check out: • An Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation – if you are curious about the benefits of meditation and how to begin, this class is for you; Monday, Feb. 10, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. • Annual Food for Fines – now through Feb. 29. The library will help you so that you may help others. If you have overdue fines, the library will reduce your fines in return for donations of nonperishable food, Donations will be given to local food pantries. Your fines will be reduced $1 for each item donated. Please don’t drop off expired food. • A Hands On Workshop – Tuesday, March 10, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Watch a pottery wheel demonstration and then make your own dragon out of clay! Master Potter Rick Hamelin will teach you how. Grades 6 and up – please sign up in advance. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Saugus Cultural Council. • Friendship Storytime on Fridays continues. This special program for children, which begins at 9:30 a.m., is sponsored by the Coordinated Family & Community Engagement (CFCE) Grant. It can help parents nurture their child’s social and early literacy skills with structured story time. • Let’s Get Ready For Kindergarten Playgroup! This playgroup, which is sponsored by the CFCE Grant, helps kids prepare for kindergarten. Fall and winter hours are Saturdays at 10 a.m. It’s recommended SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 17
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