THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, February 14, 2020 Page 17 Selectmen honor retiring police officer Jeffrey Wood for 20 years of service By Mark E. Vogler S electmen gave retired Saugus Police Officer Jeffrey Wood a hero’s sendoff as they recognized his 20 years of service to the town at Tuesday night’s meeting. But when Wood stood up at the lectern to offer his farewell address to the town, he called his wife, Frances, “the true unsung hero.” Wood told selectmen the citation they presented him should have included her name, too, for supporting him, particularly when he came home from nights when he encountered stressful and difficult circumstances. “Fran would either leave me alone or open me up to talk,” said Wood, noting “some tough calls I went on.” They have been married for 42 years. Wood, 63, joined the force at a relatively old age for a police officer – 43. He had worked for 20 years at General Electric. “When I first started this journey, I only really had one goal in mind: to serve 20 years and serve it honorably,” said Wood, who said he enjoyed his time working in the patrol division he loved. He called it “the heart and soul of the Police Department.” Wood’s big break may have been “a nice letter’ he received from then state Rep. Steve Angelo that “said I would make a great Saugus police officer.” Wood kept the letter and used it years later after Angelo had become town manager. He brought it with him to the job interview. When Angelo asked if there was anything else Wood would like to offer, he produced the letter, which Angelo tried to minimize as a typical form letter. But when Police Chief Ed Felix asked if the letter was accurate, Angelo told the chief it was. The town manager and chief said they’d take a chance on hiring Wood, who was the oldest police officer they had ever hired. “The best motivation is when someone tells you you can’t do something,” Wood said, recalling his appointment to the police force. “And if somebody ever writes a nice letter, save it. You may need it someday,” he said. Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree, who worked with Wood during his final years in the Police Department, told the retiring officer “You will certainly be missed.” Crabtree said he was “very proud” to have served with Wood. Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini thanked Wood for his service to the community, noting he had PARTNERS IN POLICE WORK: During his farewell speech to the town on Tuesday night, retiring Saugus Police Officer Jeffrey Wood credited his wife with helping to make his police career successful. Selectmen honored Wood with a citation for his 20 years of service. (Saugus Advocate photos by Mark E. Vogler) “a lot of time invested in making Saugus safe.” “Time to enjoy some stress free living,” Cicolini added. WISHING HIM WELL: The Board of Selectmen commended retiring Police Officer Jeffrey Wood for an accomplished law enforcement career he began at age 43. SOUNDS | from page 16 for children ages three through five. Activities change weekly. • The Yoga Experience – here’s a free, basic yoga class that is ideal for beginners. This 60-minute slow flow class opens with a brief meditation, followed by a gentle warm up, some core strengthening, standing postures, and flexibility poses. Each session winds down with deep relaxation. Lisa Poto is a registered yoga teacher and a member of the Yoga Alliance. She graduated from Barre & Soul’s 200-hour yoga teacher training program. “Yoga is my passion, and has been transforming in my life. I believe that yoga is for everybody. It is your own personal exploration and journey,” Poto said. If this is something that sounds appealing to you or worth a try, show up in the Community Room at the Saugus Public Library on one of the following dates – all times are at 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted – Thursday, Feb. 20 at noon; Tuesday, Feb. 25; Tuesday, March 3, Tuesday, March 10; Thursday, March 19; Tuesday, March 24; and Tuesday, March 31. Cub Scout and Boy Scout recruitment Cub Scout Pack 62 and Boy Scout Troop 62 are still seeking new members after a successful recruitment effort on Founders Day. Cubs can sign up on Monday nights from 6:45 to 8 p.m. at the Cliftondale Congregational Church at 50 Essex St. in Saugus. Please use the door marked office in the front of the church. The Scouts are located in the basement. Cub Pack 62 welcomes boys from age five (kindergarten) to age 10 (Grade 5). Boy Scouts can register on Tuesday nights from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. in the basement of the Cliftondale Congregational Church. The Boy Scout program is for young men ages 10 1/2 to 17 (Grades 6-12) Any questions on our Cub Scout program – please contact Cubmaster Bill Ferringo at pack62saugus@gmail.com or bferringo@ comcast.net. For Boy Scouts, please contact Scoutmaster John Kane at troop62saugus.org or 781-389-2708. Let’s hear it! Got an idea, passing thought or gripe you would like to share with The Saugus Advocate? I’m always interested in your feedback. It’s been close to four 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 15to 20-minute interview at a local coffee shop. And I’ll buy the coffee.
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