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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, FEbrUAry 22, 2024 Page 13 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus! Apparently, the negotiations went well on Tuesday when two members from the Saugus Housing Authority met with Katelynn Lemieux to negotiate a salary and benefits package for her possible hiring as the next executive director of the Saugus Housing Authority. The current Executive Director, Laura Glynn, who plans to leave after 10 years to care for her ailing father, confirmed that the negotiations went well and that an agreement was reached between Lemieux and Housing Authority Chair William Stewart and Member Maureen Whitcomb. Glynn said yesterday that there is a tentative start date for Lemieux for April 1, pending the state’s approval of the contract and benefits that were negotiated. Glynn said she was preparing a package to submit to the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. Lemieux’s hiring would not become official until the EOHLC approves it, according to Glynn. Stay tuned A Super “Shout Out” for Nick Graffeo We received one “Shout Out” this week, but it was a big one from a super Sachem sports fan, former School Committee Member Joseph “Dennis” Gould. He nominated Nicki Graffeo, a volunteer for Saugus TV, who loves to give many athletes on the Sachem sports scene some positive coverage. We received this email from Gould on Monday night: “At tonight’s Sachem boys basketball game Nick Graffeo will be recognized for his volunteer efforts to support our Saugus Sachem boys and girls teams. “As many of you know, I attend at many Sachem boys and girls team’s games, and it is always great to see Nick’s smiling face and his efforts to bring us the games live or on tape that we can’t not attend in person is greatly appreciated. “He also works with Saugus Cable compiling the season long highlights for each sport that is an awesome memory for families and student athletes. “Great job Nick! “Congratulations on this recognition you truly deserved!!! “Dennis Gould” And then there was this “Sachem Nation Alert that was mass-texted out before Monday night’s 6 p.m. boys basketball game “to recognize a member of our community for his dedication to Saugus Athletics… Nick Graffeo was selected by the state athletic directors assoc. to receive an award for his volunteer work with Saugus TV.” 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 a 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 a photo. Food Pantry notes The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today (Friday, Feb. 23) from 9:3011 a.m. Legion Breakfast today There’s a good breakfast deal for Saugus veterans and other folks who enjoy a hearty breakfast on Friday mornings. The American Legion Post 210 at 44 Taylor St. in Saugus offers Friday morning breakfasts for the 2023-24 season. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., with breakfast served from 8-9:00 a.m. for an $8 donation. Veterans who cannot afford the donation may be served free. Town Meeting forum set for Monday Due to the Community Room at the Saugus Public Library being used for In-Person Early Voting, there has been some recent rescheduling of the Town Meeting forums. There’s a Town Meeting educational forum set for 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26 in the second floor auditorium at Saugus Town Hall. The sessions for March 25 and April 22 will be held in the Community Room at the library from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian is providing an opportunity for Saugus citizens who want to learn the basics about Town Meeting – the legislative body of Saugus town government. MaSaugusTV volunteer Nicki Graffeo, who loves to give many athletes on the Sachem sports scene some positive coverage, was honored before Monday night’s boys’ basketball game for recently receiving an award from the state athletic directors association. Please see this week’s “Shout Out.” (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) noogian is a veteran of about four decades in local town government at various levels, including many years as a Town Meeting member. The three sessions Manoogian will be leading this year are tailored for newly elected Town Meeting members or veterans who want to refresh themselves about Robert’s Rules of Order or how to put forward an article for consideration. Budget time nearing Selectmen have scheduled their next meeting for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27 in the first floor conference room at Saugus Town Hall. That session will essentially kick off the town’s municipal budget season. Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree will unveil his spending plan for the 2025 Fiscal Year that begins July 1. Soon after, the town’s Finance Committee will schedule its series of Wednesday review sessions of each of the department budgets and make recommendations for the Annual Town Meeting, which is set to convene on the first Monday in May. Stay tuned. Democratic Town Committee Caucus – Feb. 27 The Saugus Democratic Town Committee (SDTC) will hold its Caucus this Tuesday, Feb. 27, to elect delegates to the Democratic State Convention held in June. The Caucus will be at 7 p.m. at the Saugus Public Safety Building (27 Hamilton St., Second Floor). The Caucus is open to the public, but only registered Saugus Democrats can vote on delegates. The primary function of the SDTC is to support Democratic candidates for office, both locally and at the state level. It also engages in voter education and voter registration. Registered Democrats living in Saugus who are interested in playing an active role in the political process in Saugus are welcome to attend any meetings of the Committee. For questions contact saugusdtc@gmail.com Compost/Recycling DropOff Site winter hours The Town of Saugus Compost/Recycling Drop-Off Site is closed for the winter. But it will reopen for recycling on the third Saturday of March 2024 weather permitting. Please note: The site will be open March 16 during the period from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please contact Scott Brazis, Director of Solid Waste/Recycling, with any questions at 781-231-4036. Kindergarten Enrollment 2024-2025 Open enrollment for kindergarten will begin on Monday, April 22, and continue through Friday, April 26. Kindergarten is free and full day (8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.). Families can pick up a kindergarten registration packet at the main office of the Veterans Early Learning Center between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Completed registration packets will be due on Wednesday, May 22, and Thursday, May 23, during the following hours: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (All registration documents must be included on the packet return dates.) Staff will be available to collect your documentation at the main entrance. Once all documentation is confirmed we will schedule an appointment for a mandatory kindergarten screening. Kindergarten screenings will be held on June 3 & 4 and will last 20 minutes. *While there is no official deadline for kindergarten registration, we ask that you register your student by May 24, to help us effectively plan staffing and programming for next year.” SAVE 2024 Environmental Scholarship Available Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) is very pleased to announce that it is offering a $1,000 Environmental Scholarship to a Saugus resident who is or will be attending a two- or fouryear college or other educational institution and pursuing a degree in an area that would positively impact the environment. A qualifying applicant may be a 2024 high school graduating senior or a current college undergraduate student continuing their education. Applicants can download the SAVE 2024 Environmental Scholarship Application Form found at www.saugusSAVE.org. Please note: Section C of the application should be identified with your initials only and should provide a brief summary of any of your activities relating THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 15

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