Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022 The Board of Health needs help Chairman Heffernan makes another public appeal for potential candidates to apply for a seat that’s been vacant a year By Mark E. Vogler A t the end of the February 7 Board of Health meeting, Chairman William Heff ernan once again made a passionate public plea for help. He implored civic-minded Saugonians to apply for a position on his “shorthanded,” but very important, town government body. The fi ve-member board has one vacancy, and veteran member Joia Cicolini has been SAUGONIANS | FROM PAGE 1 terbacks are out there,” he said. “It’s almost like an addiction,” Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree said, agreeing with Cicolini’s observation. Crabtree finds himself so challenged in fi nding volunteers to fi ll the various local government bodies that he submitted several appointments for confi rmation by seunable to make recent meetings for health reasons. “If anyone out there is interested, please reach out to the Town Manager’s Offi ce,” Heff ernan said. “It’s getting more and more diffi cult, especially with Ms. Cicolini being unable to attend. We need at least three of us to have a quorum.” With only three members available, there’s always a possibility that an unexpected life development – work or family-relectmen without including resumes or background information. Saugus Selectman Corinne R. Riley didn’t like that approach and called on selectmen to table Crabtree’s appointments until the next meeting, or until he could support his nominations with resumes and other background material. Crabtree told Riley he feared that requiring applicants to furnish resumes and 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 lated – could leave the board further shorthanded, according to Heff ernan. Anyone interested in serving on the Board of Health should fi le a letter of interest with Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s Office and state their qualifications and background. “It can be rewarding. It can be frustrating. You might get a few more phone calls than you used to,” Heff ernan said. “If anyone is interested, please background material might prohibit or discourage potentially interested citizens from applying. “We’re struggling to get people to volunteer. We’re doing the best we can do,” Crabtree said. Riley’s suggestion prompted a board discussion over what’s causing the lack of citizen interest and how town offi cials should proceed in fi lling volunteer positions on many local government boards. Cogliano expressed concerns that whatever the town manager does, the process should be consistent. He wondered why the town manager had included more rigorous requirements for Board of Health candidates (see related story). “We want a doctor on the Board of Health,” Cogliano said. “I’m just looking for some consistency. All positions should be the same,” he said. Crabtree noted that usually none of the people volunteering for the vacant positions are experts when they start. They express an interest in serving and they learn as they spend more time in the position. “Everybody started somewhere,” express your interest,” Heffernan said. Heffernan, who has served about nine years on the board, said he has found the experience of serving his hometown as a board member personally rewarding. But he’s gone into recent meetings worrying whether he could fi eld enough members to hold a meeting. Board of Health Vice-Chair Shawn Ayube resigned from the board after moving out of Saugus early last year. His departure created a vacancy which hasn’t been fi lled since. With veteran board member Joia Cicolini unable to attend recent meetings for health reasons, the board Crabtree said. “What expertise do you have on the Board of Selectmen?” the town manager asked. Cogliano wanted to know whether Crabtree thinks the Planning Board is a better position than the Board of Health. “I’m in favor of all of them, I just want consistency,” Cogliano said. After the discussion, selectmen approved all of the town manager’s appointments on 4-0 votes with Riley abstaining from the vote on each candidate. Selectmen approved the following appointments: • Jeannie Meredith, of 15 Dale St., to the Planning Board • Richard E. Thompson, of 18 Laconia Ave., to the Planning Board • William L. Leuci, of 35 Wilbur Ave., to the Conservation Commission • Andrew B. DeSantis, of 25 Serino Way, to the Conservation Commission • Jennifer D’Eon, of 34 Myrtle St., to the Board of Assessors When asked why she abstained from the confirmation vote of the five candidates, Riley provided The Saugus Advocate with the following statement: has been operating for several months with three members. If one of them is unable to attend, meetings will be postponed for lack of a quorum. “I’ve never had a chairman on the board publicly say he needs people on the board,” Town Manager Crabtree told selectmen at a recent meeting. Several candidates had applied. The problem is the candidates were either biased toward or against WIN Waste Innovations (formerly known as Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc.) – the town’s biggest taxpayers ($3.1 million a year) and BOARD | SEE PAGE 9 “Submitting a statement of interest or resume is important because boards like health, planning, assessors, among others, affect the physical and fi nancial health of the residents, therefore the BOS should confirm or not confi rm based on objective information, rather than who an applicant is friends or neighbors with. “As Selectman Panetta said on the Kowloon applications last night (Feb. 15), she knows the Wong’s are wonderful people and they have been so good to Saugus, but she had to put that aside and focus on this application.... And just as the Town Manager had advertised for ‘candidates with a medical degree or physician preferred,’ I think we should advertise to seek out the most qualifi ed candidates. “Similarly, I don’t want to base appointments to important boards based on who likes who, but rather what they can bring to those boards to give the residents the satisfaction of knowing they’re being represented by people who are looking out for the whole town’s best interest.” A trusted family name combined with exceptional craftsmanship & professionalism. Call for a consultation & quote. 63 Years! • Vinyl Siding • Carpentry Work • Decks • Roofing • Replacement Windows • Free Estimates • Fully Licensed • Fully Insured
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