SAUGUS Vol. 24, No. 7 -FREEThe Advocate–A household word in Saugus! AOCODDV C TECAT www.advocatenews.net Making Route 1 right for Saugus Special Town Meeting approves bylaw changes to steer new development in business highway district toward more commercial and less residential By Mark E. Vogler S everal members marveled at Tuesday night’s Special Town Meeting on how well Town Moderator Stephen N. Doherty completed a tedious, but necessary task before one of the most important votes in recent years. Doherty spent close to 78 minutes reading into the record a 24-page article to revamp the Route 1 Business Highway Sustainable Zoning District (BHSD) bylaw adopted back in 2015. Town Meeting members spent another hour debating the pros and cons of the measure coauthored by Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Joe Vecchione and Selectman Michael Serino. But in the end, the bylaw changes – which were opposed vigorously by Planning Board Chair Peter A. Rosetti, Jr., who warned they might send the wrong message to developers and infl uence them to “bypass Saugus” – breezed through with considerably more than the ROUTE | SEE PAGE 6 Headed to Hybrid Providing there’s not another postvacation COVID-19 spike, Saugus Public Schools are scheduled to reopen classes for the fi rst time in a nearly a year By Mark E. Vogler A fter three announced starts got cancelled because of a sudden surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases in town, Saugus Public Schools are making defi nitive plans to reopen. “I am comfortable in saying I think it’s time as a district that we begin to bring kids back,” School Superintendent Dr. David DeRuosi, Jr. told the School Committee at last week’s (Thursday, Feb. 11) meeting. “We’re ready to come back … Published Every Friday 781-233-4446 Friday, February 19, 2021 A cross on the forehead Parishioner Donna Zinna of Blessed Sacrament Parish administers ashes to Robert O’Leary on Wednesday (Feb. 17) during the church’s fi rst Ash Wednesday drive-by observance, with precautions taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. People administering and receiving the ashes wore facial coverings. An estimated crowd of about 400 people showed up for the observance, which marks the beginning of Lent for people of the Christian faith. For the story and photos, please see page 5. (Saugus Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) We have the PPE [personal protection equipment],” he said. On the next day, he released a 10-minute video (Superintendent’s Special Report – February 12, 2021) in which he outlined the specifi c details for reopening under the so-called Hybrid learning model – which allows two days of in-person learning a week, alternating with remote learning. Under the school district plans Dr. DeRuosi briefed the School Committee on last week: HYBRID | SEE PAGE 7 While people often think of robins as a sign of spring, not all of them migrate south for the winter – like this robin in a tree near Pirate’s Glen. For story and photo highlights, see this week’s Saugus gardens in the pandemic on page 12. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE Regular Unleaded $2.419 Mid Unleaded $2.529 Super $2.659 Diesel Fuel $2.819 "42 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2020 KERO $4.65 DEF $3.49 9 Diesel $2.259 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 Warmer days ahead Prices subject to change Happy New Year! FLEET
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